Greyhound Express Issue 4

GREYHOUND

EXPRESS ISSUE FOUR LADBROKES SUMMER FESTIVAL SCOTTISH DERBY REGENCY REPORT PUPPY POWER RPGTV DATES

JUNE 2013

DAVE CLARK RAB MCNAIR JIM REYNOLDS KAAN HUGHES IAN BLAND SALACRES JOHN MARRIOTT ON BREEDING

GREYHOUND DERBY: 153 GO FOR GLORY! FLAPPING l IRISH SCENE l OWNERS’ BONUS SERIES

R O M F O R D G R E Y H O U N D STA D I U M

EXPERIENCE THE

SIX PACK fo r a g re a t n i g h t o u t a t t h e d o g s 1. ADMISSION 3. BASkET MEAl 5 . £ 1 JAc k p OT B E T

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WELCOME TO GREYHOUND EXPRESS Editor Mick Livesey

IT’S DERBY TIME!

Get in touch: greyhounds2008@live.co.uk or Twitter @micklivesey

O

nly one place to start – its Derby time, massive congratulations to William Hill the first prize of £150,000 is out of this world and this will be the greatest Derby we have ever had.

Nostalgia plays tricks on you, there has never a more competitive Derby 153 entries and it’s HOT!!! There is plenty of coverage in the magazine about the Derby following on from last month.

Our columnists are fantastic aren’t they?! I truly believe the best group ever assembled for a monthly magazine. We have two new ones this month; Dave Clark from the Racing Post and Callum Purdy, these are fantastic additions to the brilliant columnist’s already in place.

I can’t thank them enough because they make the magazine what it is.

One question I keep getting asked is will it be available in print? Well I firmly believe

it will be one day, the reason we are dragging our feet is we need everything in place, you can rush into these things and end up getting it wrong.

We have many online plans to conquer first; soon the magazine will be in the Apple and Google newsstands this will give us the platform needed to kick on to the next level.

Nothing about this magazine is looked upon in a short-term view; we are hoping it will be a very long association.

The people involved in this magazine are used to investing in very successful publications, the one remit I was given was create a magazine that wipes its face, this is not yet achieved but we will get there.

I am relishing the opportunity given to me to be the Editor and so far so good. We need each and every one of you to help spread the gospel that is Greyhound Express together we can make it the number-one greyhound magazine in the world.

I have been busy writing my first book; ‘You Can’t Eat Value’ it is now finished and is going to be on sale this month I am reliably informed.

If you buy it I really hope you enjoy it, I have been made to blush with some of the endorsements but really enjoyed writing it.

I tried to write it in plain language that is easily understandable, worked examples and in a no nonsense sort of style.

It is not a huge book maybe better described as a booklet I think around 12,000 words, perfect in my opinion nothing worse than a book that goes on and on. Perfect for on the plane or beach this summer (if we get one) Last but not least on behalf of everyone at Greyhound Express the best of luck to all 153 sets of connections with a runner in the Derby, may your dreams come true but most important all come back safe and sound – Enjoy The Derby.

GREYHOUND DERBY

153 chase greatest prize There’s £150,000 up for grabs and we’ve spoken to the big names TV DATES;

RPGTV: 1st Round 30th, 31st May, 1st June, 2nd Round 7th and 8th June SKY SPORTS: 3rd Round 15th June, Quarter-Finals 18th June, Semi-Finals 22nd June, Final 29th June.

153 Greyhounds from the four-corners of the United Kingdom and Ireland have embarked on Wimbledon in a bid to win the greatest race on the planet and land the MASSIVE £150,000 first-prize.

Check out the latest prices here http:// sports.williamhill.com This truly promises to be the greatest Derby EVER!!!

SHOUT ON DRAPER FOR THE RGT

A

massive thank-you to Jennie Prest and everyone at William Hill, they have given me £500 to punt with on the Derby. I have already placed £250 on Barrie Draper @ 4/1 to win the Derby.

This was a special price the very nice odds compliers gave me and in reality he is probably a 5/2 / 11/4 shot.

Team Draper will have six runners; Ballymac Eske (Scottish Derby winner), Farloe Warhawk (English Puppy Derby winner), Farloe Barracuda (Golden Sprint winner), Fireheight Spec (RPGTV 500 winner), Eden Star (2011 Laurels/Puppy Derby winner) and more than likely Glenpadden Post (a winner in a spectacular 29.04 Coventry).

That is a really powerful team but I am going to nail my colours well and truly to the mast; I would love Ballymac Eske to land the Derby and be on course for the ground breaking triple crown.

Stay tuned to The Sport and my twitter feed @MickLivesey to see how I invest the remaining £250 of the charity money and let’s see how much I can make for this very worthy charity.

GREYHOUND DERBY ROLL OF HONOUR SINCE 1960

At Wimbledon from 1985 to present (over 480 metres) Year Winner Trainer 2012 Blonde Snapper Mark Wallis (Yarmouth) 2011 Taylors Sky Charlie Lister OBE (Private) 2010 Bandicoot Tipoki Charlie Lister OBE (Private) 2009 Kinda Ready Mark Wallis (Harlow) 2008 Loyal Honcho Seamus Graham (Ireland) 2007 Westmead Lord Nick Savva (Private) 2006 Westmead Hawk Nick Savva (Private) 2005 Westmead Hawk Nick Savva (Private) 2004 Droopys Scholes Ian Reilly (Ireland) 2003 Farloe Verdict Charlie Lister OBE (Private) 2002 Allen Gift Claude Gardiner (Hove) 2001 Rapid Ranger Charlie Lister OBE (Private) 2000 Rapid Ranger Charlie Lister OBE (Private) 1999 Chart King Karl Hewitt (Ireland) 1998 Toms The Best Nick Savva (Milton Keynes) 1997 Some Picture Charlie Lister OBE (Nottingham) 1996 Shanless Slippy Dolores Ruth (Ireland) 1995 Moaning Lad Theo Mentzis (Private) 1994 Moral Standards Tony Meek (Hall Green) 1993 Ringa Hustle Tony Meek (Oxford) 1992 Farloe Melody Matt O’Donnell (Ireland) 1991 Ballinderry Ash Patsy Byrne (Wimbledon) 1990 Slippy Blue Ken Linzell (Walthamstow) 1989 Lartique Note Ger McKenna (Ireland) 1988 Hit The Lid John McGee (Canterbury) 1987 Signal Spark Gary Baggs (Walthamstow) 1986 Tico Arthur Hitch (Slough) 1985 Pagan Swallow Phil Rees (Wimbledon) At White City Stadium from 1975 to 1984 (over 500 metres) Year Winner Trainer 1984 Whisper Wishes Charlie Coyle (Maidstone) 1983 Im Slippy Barbara Tompkins (Coventry) 1982 Lauries Panther Terry Duggan (Romford) 1981 Parkdown Jet Ger McKenna (Ireland) 1980 Indian Joe John Hayes (Ireland) 1979 Sarahs Bunny Geoff De Mulder (Hall Green) 1978 Lacca Champion Pat Mullins (Private) 1977 Ballinska Band Eddie Moore (Belle Vue) 1976 Mutts Silver Phil Rees (Wimbledon) 1975 Tartan Khan Gwen Lynds (Bletchley) At White City to 1974 (over 480 metres) Year Winner Trainer 1974 Jimsun Geoff De Mulder (Hall Green) 1973 Patricias Hope Johnny O’Connor (Ireland) 1972 Patricias Hope Adam Jackson (Clapton) 1971 Doloreas Rocket Herbert White (Private) 1970 John Silver Barbara Tompkins (Private) 1969 Sand Star Hamilton Orr (Ireland) 1968 Camira Flash Randolph Singleton (White City) 1967 Tric Trac Ron Hookway (Owlerton) 1966 Faithful Hope Paddy Keane (Clapton) 1965 Chittering Clapton Adam Jackson (Clapton) 1964 Hack Up Chieftain Percy Stagg (Belle Vue) 1963 Lucky Boy Boy Johnny Bassett (Clapton) 1962 The Grand Canal Paddy Dunphy (Ireland) 1961 Palms Printer Paddy McEvoy (Clapton) 1960 Duleek Dandy Bill Dash (Private)

Odds 8/1 7/4F 7/2 25/1 5/2JF 6/1 4/7F 5/4F 7/2 12/1 16/1 7/4 7/4F 8/11F 4/5F 8/13F 4/9F 5/2 9/4F 5/2 6/4F 5/1 8/1 1/1F 3/1 14/1 6/4JF 9/1

Time 28.65 28.17 28.57 28.65 28.60 28.47 28.44 28.56 28.62 28.82 29.06 28.71 28.71 28.76 28.75 28.23 28.66 28.66 28.59 28.62 28.88 28.78 28.70 28.79 28.53 28.83 28.69 29.04

Odds 7/4F 6/1 6/4F 4/5F 13/8JF 3/1 6/4F 1/1F 6/1 25/1

Time 29.43 29.40 29.60 29.57 29.68 29.53 29.42 29.16 29.38 29.57

Odds 5/2 7/2 7/1 11/4 11/4 5/4F 100/8 9/2 8/1 5/2 20/1 1/1F 2/1F 2/1 25/1

Time 28.76 28.68 28.55 28.74 29.01 28.78 28.78 29.00 28.52 28.82 28.82 29.00 29.09 28.84 29.15

BY MICK LIVESEY

in greyhounds

Eden Star

by Steve Nash the trophy

NICK SAVVA INTERVIEW

T

here was only one man to catch up with; Nick Savva, who is the only trainer to pull off a magnificent hat-trick on the bounce with Westmead Hawk 2005/2006 and Westmead Lord in 2007, even more remarkable they were all bred, reared, schooled and trained by Nick.

He also won the great race with Toms The Best in 1998 and the Irish Derby in 1997.

NICK WILL YOU HAVE A RUNNER IN THIS YEAR’S DERBY? “Unfortunately not, was maybe one or two but for one thing or another we won’t be there this year.”

WHO DO YOU THINK WILL WIN IT? “This is going to be one of the hottest Derbies ever, there are so many great dogs, I’d not like to say. The fantastic

prize-money will mean they come from all over, it’s a tricky track and you need some luck.”

WHAT TYPE OF DOG DO YOU NEED APART FROM OBVIOUSLY A FAST ONE? “You need either the out and gone merchants like Westmead Lord or the dogs that come home really strong like Westmead Hawk. The dogs in between can be brilliant dogs but they are vulnerable during the Derby, for me one or the other. It is important you have a fit dog, any weaknesses you will be found out.”

YOU MANAGED TO GO TO IRELAND AND WIN THE IRISH DERBY WITH TOMS THE BEST HOW DIFFICULT IS IT FOR THE IRISH TO WIN OUR DERBY? “Very difficult, I went to Ireland five times and we made the final every time, we won it once and was unlucky a few times. It is better to stay over, it is very difficult if travelling.”

GREYHOUND DERBY WHAT GREYHOUNDS HAVE YOU GOT COMING THROUGH NICK FOR READERS TO WATCH OUT FOR? “We are a bit short on numbers but two nice litters just coming up for schooling (Wheres Pedro – Westmead Ourora & Droopys Scolari – Westmead Sula) hopefully there will be something nice in these litters and we can get back to the Derby one day.”

The Derby is not just about one race; quite the opposite it’s got a festival feel with the Champion Hurdle (see preview) and Derby Plate heats 22nd June with final 29th June worth £1,500 to the winner.

29th June is a date for your diary; probably the greatest nights racing anywhere in the world the final night includes the following races all sponsored by William Hill; Derby £150,000 to the winner Derby Plate £1,500 to the winner Champion Hurdle £1,500 to the winner Dorando Marathon, Puppy Stakes, Stayers Stakes, Sprint, Standard, Ladies, British Bred and seniors all worth £1,000 to the winner.

You can stay in touch with all the action every step of the way, get my comments, feedback, ask questions on everything to do with the Derby and supporting cast through my Twitter feed @MickLivesey and on hash tag #whillderby

Farloe Warhawk and Barrie Draper

dler Lisa Stephenson. The best hurdlers WILLIAM HILL in the country will be bidding to follow in CHAMPION HURDLE – those fantastic footsteps.

WIMBLEDON Meteor out of this world 18 greyhounds – heats on 22nd June, final 29th June worth £1,500, live on SkySports ROLL OF HONOUR 2012 OLIVERS TWIST 2011 PLANE DADDY 2010 MEN OF HOPE 2009 PLATINUMLANCELOT 2008 MORELL WARRIOR 2007 NEWLAWN BERTS 2006 STRADEEN OUZO 2005 DRUIDS MICKEY JO 2004 JO BANANAS This is set to be one of the greatest competitions of the year, it may be only worth £1,500 to the winner but it will be hugely competitive.

Last year the brilliant Olivers Twist put in a sensational display to land the title ‘Champion Hurdle Winner’ for top han-

The hurdle scene is seeing somewhat of rejuvenation in 2013, I absolutely love the hurdlers and it is probably my one regret that I have never owned, trained or worked with a hurdler.

The early thoughts from some of this year’s Springbok were it was perhaps not a vintage year.

The exact opposite is turning out to be the case, this crop of novice hurdlers are proving to be head and shoulders above the old stalwarts of the hurdle game. Sitting right on top of that pile is the brilliant winner Westmead Meteor for Ricky Holloway.

Meteor has won nine of his last eleven races, this surely makes him the countries number-one hurdler; he can boast a Springbok title and winner of a nice competition at Coventry were he also wrestled

the clock of his rival Droopys Lorenzo.

He has shown he is effective at Wimbledon and is the one they all have to beat.

It is not a one dog show though; Droopys Lorenzo is a talented hurdler with speed to burn on the flat, his jumping is improving with every outing.

A greyhound that has been really impressive of late on Sky Sports is Pat Rosney trained Green Amigo, brilliant wins at Sheffield and Hove throw him right in the mix.

Lenson Johnny is a greyhound that when he gets everything right is capable of beating anyone on his day, he must come into calculations and we have not even mentioned the likes of Mash Mad Snowy who is an improver.

All the signs are we are set to have one of the best Champion Hurdles we have ever seen, the race will be ultra-competitive and will surely be one of the highlights of the brilliant racing during the Derby.

YOU CAN’T EAT VALUE

By Mick Livesey In this new book, Greyhound Express editor Mick Livesey reveals how he picks winners.

It’s packed with pricless info gained from his lifetime in greyhound racing as a punter and leading trainer. ALL FOR THE AMAZING PRICE OF £12!

JUST EMAIL GREYHOUNDEXPRESSMAG@GMAIL.COM AND WE’LL LET YOU KNOW WHEN THE BOOKS ARE BACK FROM THE PRINTERS AND HOW TO ORDER YOUR COPY

LADBROKES SUMMER FESTIVAL

Get set for sensations of summer at Monmore

L ing up;

adbrokes are serving up a real treat for greyhound fans with a fantastic Summer Festival. Check out what is com-

Ladbrokes Summer Stayers £8,000 630m

Dates: 17th, 24th and 28th June The burning question I’m sure that is on everyone’s lips is; will we see Fear Emoski V Ballyard Buddy, the young gun Emoski is unbeaten over six-bends and she looks to have the staying world at her mercy but Buddy would be a severe test.

2012 St Leger runner-up and a competition winner at Monmore, it would be fantastic to see them take each other on.

Ladbrokes Summer Cup £5,000

Dates: 24th and 28th June You would need a crystal bowl to predict who will run in this race, a lot will surely depend on the Derby.

If not involved Bold Three for Paul Sallis was breath-taking over course and distance earlier in the year winning a competition.

I have no doubt that this will be a fantastic race, sure to be a top-class entry, local Bold Three is capable of giving anyone a run for their money and will be the one to beat.

Ladbrokes Summer Festival 416m £2000

Dates: 24th and 28th June This promises to be ultra-exciting; Bar-

rie Draper will be hoping Farloe Barracuda is still in the hat for the Derby but if not this looks tailor made for him.

Mark Wallis will have a strong team; Lil Risky has been a real champion and he showed last year that he loved this race, a year on he still possesses great ability and will be in the mix. Glanmire Lad would be interesting if entered (you would think he would be) he is a real force over 400m at Romford and the extra 16m should not be a problem. Throw into the mix Garryglass Rodge and possibly Ayamzaman and Mark Wallis looks the man they will all have to beat.

Ladbrokes Puppy 480m £2000

Dates: 24th and 28th June Strategic Review was runner-up in the Ladbrokes Puppy Derby, he also ran with huge credit at Kinsley in the Gymcrack coming third, this will be a real chance for the talented Chris Allsopp runner to land a competition.

Johnnys Boy also made the final of Ladbrokes Puppy Derby, he looks like making a quality stayer but is vulnerable to speedster’s early-doors however he will be hard to stop qualifying.

Seamus Cahill will more than likely send his best youngsters, Droopys Odell is a greyhound I am a massive fan of and if he turns up with a couple of kennel mates this could be a sensational competition

MONMORE GREEN

Ballyard Buddy in action

Lil Risky

INTRODUCING

One of TOP HONCHOS’s fastest sons TULLYMURRY ACT Top Honcho x Europa Spitfire Winner of 2009 Irish Puppy Derby Winner of Open Unraced Harolds Cross Finalist of 2010 Irish Derby Finalist of 2010 Race Of Champions Tralee Winner of 17 Races from 32 Starts Winner of over 54,000 euro in prize money

Some of his times include: Sprint- 15.24 Wimbledon, 18.78 Shelbourne 525 – 28.28 28.48 Cork, 28.49 28.52 28.57 Harolds Cross, 28.13 Dundalk 28.28 28.35 28.38 28.40 Shelbourne 28.47 Waterford Shelbourne 550 29.66 29.67 29.71 Tralee 550 29.78 29.80 This Very Promising Young Stud Dog is producing top class offspring: WILLOW MAN Sets tralee alight in first round of 15,000 euro Juvenile Classic 28.54, 28.71 qualifing trial BOOKIE BUSTER 2879 winner Limerick, 29.06 winner kilkenny and 28.57 winner first round of 80,000 euro puppy stake limerick flying 16.22 sectional SLICK ACT wins 3 lengths Nottingham 28.62 qualifys shelbourne park 18.99 29.19 JUMEIRAH VEYRON 29.06 novice winner galway quailfys shelbourne 28.81 18.87 limerick SLICK SINGAPORE Named in Ian Fortures 12 to follow, winner of 2 races from 3 starts in Ireland, wins Open 680m Nottingham Other top novice winners for Tullymurry Act include Jumeirah Murry, Hazels Dog, Jaytee Bud, Slick Saigon and Coosane Star.

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LADBROKES SCOTTISH DERBY

Ballymac Eske – simply the best!

T

he word ‘GREAT’ and ‘SUPERSTAR’ are often overused but when you’re talking about Ballymac Eske they fail to do him justice. He quite literally took apart a top-class field to storm his way to a 7L victory in the £10,000 Ladbrokes Scottish Derby.

He opened up ante-post a best price 5/4 and that was Christmas come early for his huge band of followers, those followers never had an anxious moment he dominated this classic like no other greyhound in living memory.

He has come back from his winters break even better than before and you must give Barrie, Trevor and the rest of team Draper massive credit. The popular Yorkshire outfit now have that magnificent Derby trophy in the bag and you get the feeling there is more on the way.

2013 so far has seen Ballymac Eske unbeaten but what is most impressive is that he is yet to be even led, his early-pace was once thought to be his Achilles heel but judged on his Racing Post Juvenile, Heat and Final win of Scottish Derby he is the complete greyhound. Teejays Bluehawk ran with credit in the heats running the great champion to 0.75L in 28.78 +10.

I did an interview with Barrie Draper for the Sport and he told me: “We expect him to come forward from the heats.” You are not kidding Barrie, he blew away a topclass field, trapping out brilliantly and then showing ferocious pace that none of his rivals could live with.

He ran out a very impressive 7L winner over Mags Gamble in 28.75. It is easy to forget about Mags Gamble but this was a very good performance from Harry William’s charge who suffered early crowding, to make it a one-two for England.

If there was a record for the best birthday present ever than probably Peter Band would win the award, Ballymac Eske was a birthday present for Wendy Prince. What a present and thank-you Peter every man now in greyhound racing is under so much pressure on the birthday present front – how can we follow that?

TRIPLE CROWN

No greyhound has ever won the triple crown; there is a very good reason for that but I seriously don’t think there has ever been a greyhound so equipped and connections with the hunger and desire to make this dream become a reality.

How good is Ballymac Eske? The greatest greyhound of HIS generation, you can’t compare other generations and it is unfair to do so, he is quite simply the best. It is a

pleasure and a real thrill to be able to see this great champion burning up tracks.

Get behind him and roar him on to victory at Wimbledon and then god willing England has a champion that can go to Ireland and beat them in their own backyard and pull of the greatest victory ever seen in this sport.

RPGTV 500 FINAL Draper is on Fire

Barrie Draper has an embarrassment of riches at his disposal; this was backed up emphatically with Fire Height Spec 4/5f running out a 4.25L winner of the £1,000 to the winner RPGTV 500 Final. This is a quality greyhound make no mistake, he showed this once more in a decent final, they could not live with him in the heats

SHAWFIELD

Ballymac Eske in a different parish

when he ran out a 2.75L winner in a calc 30.41 over Ballycannon Hope. Fire ran even better in the final, dominating proceedings from the get-go, he had 4.25L in hand over the same rival Ballycannon Hope 4/1 in 30.35. Surely another greyhound Derby bound for Team Draper ‘this is some team’; the Yorkshire outfit is fast becoming the Real Madrid of the greyhound world.

RPGTV STAYERS FINAL Bob Slays The Giant

Greenisle Giant was very impressive in the heats and duly went off the 4/7f but it was not to be his night after suffering bad crowding at the opening bend, the night belonged to 10/1 shot Clonmoyle Bob for G Stark, he had 4L to spare over Samar Rozy 6/1 in 42.37.

Fire Height Spec

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9th MAY - 5th SEPTEMBER 2013

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Over 18’s only. If any member of the party is lucky enough to look under 21 they will be asked to prove they are over 18 with appropriate ID. Must be pre-booked and paid. Conditions apply. Non-seating package.

PIN POINT RECRUITMENT ARC, SWINDON

Shaneboy is the top recruit for McNairs

S

haneboy Alley makes it the perfect hat-trick for top handlers Rab and Liz McNair with his brilliant victory in the Pin Point Recruitment Arc at Swindon worth £8,000 to the winner. The new recruit has a perfect English card of three runs and three wins including breaking the track-record on his way to a 1L victory in the final.

He won the Tralee Derby before taking up residence with the McNairs and he looks every inch a top-class tracker, sent off a 12/1 shot in the ante-post market he was foot perfect winning his heat by 2.25L in 28.57 calc, he marched his way into the semi-final and took that in style by 2.25L in 28.27 calc to line up in the £8,000 decider.

Shaneboy Alley was sent off the 1/1F and he did not let anyone down, blasting from traps and running an exceptional bend to be in complete control coming out the second, it was all over in terms of a contest but you must give Screen Critic 8/1 a lot of credit, he battled on well to ensure the winning distance was just 1L in a brilliant new track-record of 28.18 +10.

Next stop Plough Lane – read Rab’s column to get the low down on this This was the second fastest ever time amazing tracker! (the fastest being the brilliant Jimmy Lollie for Seamus) this May 2011 youngster looks to have a huge future over 2 bends and is a must to follow.

Seamus Cahill certainly knows his way around a top-class sprinter and he One of the most enjoyable victories I may just well have another one on his have witnessed was seeing Taranis Rex hands in the shape of Guinness Sky. He put in a brilliant performance to take the Pin Point Recruitment Standland the Pin Point Recruitment Sprint ard by 1.25L in 28.54 +10. by 3.25L in 16.08 + 5.

This greyhound has guts in abun-

Skys The Limit For Guinness

Rex Is A Class Act

dance and a real touch of class, his career looked over but he just does not know how to lay down and give up.

How good would he have been without the injuries; TOP CLASS and he is not half bad with them, Kevin Hutton deserves massive credit for the handling of Rex. T-Rex tells me he is the first greyhound on twitter follow him and chat with this awesome greyhound @TaranisRex

MICK LIVESEY REPORTS Shaneboy Alley wins the Arc

Taranis Rex

Matt Chapman

Swift Is A Marathon Star In The Making

John Mullins is an excellent trainer, he has had some fantastic greyhounds over the years and he proves once again give him the ammunition and he can do the job.

Ballymac Swift is fast becoming a real star within the marathon ranks and is the one they will all have to beat come TV Trophy time.

PIN POINT RECRUITMENT ARC, SWINDON She ran a top class field ragged winning by 7L in 44.29 +15, it is rare to see a greyhound have so much pace and the ability to see out the endurance trips, it is a deadly formula.

MATT ‘YEEHAAAA’ CHAPMAN INTERVIEW

The brilliant action on the track is not the only thing people will remember it also witnessed the debut of Matt Chapman, I thoroughly enjoyed his performance, thought it was fresh, new and a lot of fun.

The team already in place on SkySports is brilliant but I would urge them to find the funds and add Matt to the team, he brings something completely different to the table and I must confess I am massive FAN. With this in mind I decided to catch up with the man himself and get the lowdown on the 2010 Broadcaster Of The Year who is famous for his ‘Yeehaaa’s’ Background; At The Races Presenter, Commentator in Coral shops, used to book Darryl Holland’s rides (he came 2nd in my first year), former Racing Post news reporter and one or two other bits and pieces.

I REALLY ENJOYED YOUR PERFORMANCE THE OTHER NIGHT, THE BURNING QUESTION IS WILL WE SEE YOU AGAIN? “You are too kind Mick, I most certainly hope so, I am first stand-by so if anyone is off in any role I will step in. I would have loved to have been part of the original team but I am ready and willing when needed.”

NOT TOO MANY PEOPLE MAY KNOW THIS BUT YOU ARE A MASSIVE GREYHOUND RACING FAN, TELL US ABOUT YOUR INVOLVEMENT. “I really am, during my university days in London I would attend Wimbledon four nights a week, I even had a go commentating one night, I got that excited it took me ages to get my breath back.”

THE DERBY WILL SOON BE UPON US, YOU HAVE ATTENDED IT MANY TIMES TELL US OF YOUR EXPERIENCES? “Yes I love it, I was the compare one xx

year I really enjoyed that, I’ve been many times, years ago I used to pack a picnic and get there hours before the first race so I could get a prime slot to see the action. Twenty-years ago it was a bit different I hope those days come

back and don’t see why they can’t.”

WHO WILL WIN THIS YEAR’S DERBY? “Shaneboy Alley; he has ferocious pace, he shifted from bend two to three and although maybe stamina a little

MICK LIVESEY REPORTS Shaneboy Alley is also Matt’s Derby fancy

worry if a strong runner turned on his coat tails I think he will blast his way through the early rounds.”

WHAT MAKES THE DERBY SO SPECIAL? “They always say there is a story with

the Grand National, the same can be said for the greyhound Derby, there is always a story that emerges. It is very exciting and now worth £150,000 to the winner that excitement could go through the roof. The final is a great night out and

this year looks set to be extra special, I just wish the stadium could be turned back into what it used to be.”

CAN YOU SELL GREYHOUND RACING IN TWO WORDS MATT? “Adrenalin Rush.”

EXPAND “You never get bored at greyhound racing when it is presented right, it is a real adrenalin rush race after race, it must be done right though not every night is.”

HOW WOULD YOU IMPROVE IT? “Whether at the track or watching it on TV greyhound racing (and all sports) should be FUN, I think sometimes that aspect gets forgotten about, we should all be having fun and enjoying ourselves.

I believe viewers and race goers want to be entertained, every new person (viewer or attendee) is an opportunity to sell the sport to them so they become involved for the long-term.”

SOMETIMES YOU COME IN FOR STICK, HOW DO YOU DEAL WITH THAT? “We all do, when you put yourself out there its part of the course, people would rather you tipped a loser, make a statement that turns out wrong, the public love it. They will always remember a wrong statement irrespective of how many 33/1 winners you select, nobody remembers those.”

THAT IS SO TRUE, I RESPECT THE FACT YOU SAY WHAT YOU THINK WILL HAPPEN AND GO WITH IT, HAVE YOU ALWAYS BEEN LIKE THAT? “For sure, you need to be, someone switches on they want to hear what you think will happen, if trap three needs to lead say so, you will inevitably get it wrong from time to time and get some stick, however it is important people get a feeling for what may happen or what needs to happen.”

WELL MATT YOU HAVE BEEN BRILLIANT, I HOPE WE SEE YOU BACK ON SOON AND GOOD LUCK WITH EVERYTHING YOU ARE DOING. “You’re welcome. You too and for all your readers YEEHAAAA – be lucky.”

xx

THREE STEPS TO VICTORY, SHEFFIELD

George takes Three Steps in his stride

A

brilliant competition offering something different; heats over 480m, semi-finals over 500m and the final over 660m and it saw Hather George go unbeaten throughout the competition to seal the £7,000 first prize.

We should be embracing competitions like this, it creates excitement and takes us into the unknown, everyone expected Charlie Lister OBE’s charge to be very dangerous in the heats and semi-final, he most certainly was winning his heat in a brilliant 27.76 +20, that was followed by another impressive performance over 500m winning in 28.81 +30.

Hather George lined up in the final still to be led never mind beaten but would this quality four-bend tracker see out the 660m course was the question everyone was pondering.

Surely the likes of Welton Arthur, Romeo Recruit and Jazz Tilly would be in the reckoning, the bookies could not split Arthur and Recruit sending them off 7/4 joint-favourites, with Lister’s charge a 9/2 chance.

The traps opened and Hather George took a flier, recording a sensational sectional of 12.67, he quickly raced into the lead, the wheels quite literally never fell off, he kept up the gallop and this was a very impressive six-bend debut, he had 1L in hand over Jazz Tilly 6/1 in a very fast 38.95 +30.

Hather George may not be the highest profile greyhound at the powerful

Hather George

Lister camp but the dog is quite literally a win machine, this was his eleventh win from his last thirteen starts. Bred

by Siobhan Duffy daughter of Willy Duffy (owner of Lifford greyhound stadium) he may well be a greyhound who could go a long way in the Derby.

REST OF CARD: Brilliant Barracuda

Farloe Barracuda, the brilliant winner of Golden Sprint at Romford put in a very professional performance on his home track, he led from start to fin-

ish recording a 2.75L victory in 15.78 +10. You won’t find a better bench mark in the sprinting ranks at the moment to compare against; so when a young puppy called Droopys Quincy for Seamus Cahill scorched around the Yorkshire venue earlier in the night recording a sensational 2.25L victory in a new track-record time of 15.70 +10 you must sit up and take notice.

A raw September puppy to do this is nothing short of magical. Quincy could be a real star in the making and is definitely worth following.

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CORAL REGENCY, HOVE

Emoski is the one to Fear

T

he Coral Regency is a race steeped in history and this year it was won by Fear Emoski who could be on the verge of making history, in winning the fantastic £8,000 first prize Charlie Lister OBE’s charge made it eight wins on the spin and she remains unbeaten over six-bends.

Chalked up the 9/2 ante-post favourite it was plain sailing in the heats winning by 3L in 41.16 -15.

In the semi-finals she must overcome being drawn out in trap-four but this classy bitch answered that question in style winning by 1.25L in 41.61 -50.

A good draw in the final housed in trap-one she looked the proverbial good thing, supporters though must have been worried when 20/1 shot Sidaz Dippy pinged out and led till the third-bend when Ayamzabeauty 7/2 took up the running, Emoski would be crowded out at the third-bend, she had the door slammed shut on her again at the fourth-bend and at that stage I was fearing the worst.

Emoski is not just fast though, she possesses real guts, determination and a will to win, she just would not give in and hit the front to the delight of her supporters at the sixth-bend.

Emoski went on to win by 1.25L over Musical Gaga 5/1 who came from another parish to grab second in 41.35 -15.

You just cannot help but be impressed, Charlie Lister OBE returned from holiday at 2am, they had a nightmare journey to Hove taking around eight-hours, it was far from the ideal

Fear Emoski

preparations but Fear Emoski passed the test with flying colours and looks to be a staying sensation.

Charlie Lister OBE said: “I have had some good stayers over the years but she is right up there with the best of them.”

Time may prove she is the best ever; it is easy to forget she has only just turned two years of age.

REST OF THE CARD

John Mullins is a man on a mission at the moment and his Ballymac Swift

is looking every inch the number-one marathon performer in the country at the moment.

She bolstered those claims even further with a very impressive victory over 930M, some of the bookmakers wanted to take her on, stating “she may not stay” well after first-bend crowding one thing was for certain if she was going to win she had to stay, the race looked in the balance until the eighthbend when Swift hit the front and ran away from the opposition to score by 3.25L in 57.02 -30 at 4/7.

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TRUFRAME STUD BOOK TROPHY

Benkaat true Blue in Stud Book

B

enkaat Blue took the TruFrame Stud Book Trophy worth ÂŁ2,500 at Monmore in style.

A competition for British Bred greyhounds and sponsored by TruFrame the company owned by top English breeder/trainer Dave Firmager it was a massive success.

Klockwork Korker was very impressive in the heats and was duly sent off the 11/10F, a tardy start followed by being impeded at the first-bend put pay to his chances but he is definitely a greyhound to follow, he made up eye-catching ground and looks capable of more than paying his way on the open-race scene.

The final was all about Mark Wallis trained Benkaat Blue 9/4, he is a very professional greyhound and wins his fair share, housed in trap-one he came away well, created the opportunity for himself to move off, he was very brave at the corner and came out in front. Showing top class pace he never looked in danger, Craster Kipper 6/1 tried in vain to reign in the Imperial Kennels tracker, he hit the rails at the fourth-bend but I am confident it would not have changed the result, at the line there was 2.25L between them in 28.53.

Sponsors and great supporters of this game are worth their weight in gold, Dave Firmager should be very proud of his association and for stumping up the money, check out the company website www.truframe.co.uk if you need new windows support the companies that support greyhound racing.

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PUPPY POWER BY MICK LIVESEY

Findlay turns to puppy power

T

op greyhounds cost big money (with the very odd exception), for a lot of people shelling out £10,000, £20,000 or even £30,000 is just not a possibility, however greyhound racing is fantastic because every single top class tracker was once a puppy but to level it out so was every A10 runner.

For your average man/women the dream of winning a major race rests in those dreams being realised through purchasing a puppy.

Kelly Findlay has turned to the puppy scene to give the kennel and owners the hope of mixing it in the top echelons of the sport through the puppies. Contrary to what many people want you to believe you need a massive slice of luck along with fantastic practices to pull this off; Kelly is a lady I am tipping to come up with the goods over the next few years with her exciting breeding program.

Look out for Dynamo and Power Of Lourdes (Westmead Hawk – Greenwell Puma, December 2011) who will be starting out soon at Coventry, I am hearing some good reports and they should be well worth sticking in your notebooks.

One litter that I have been so looking forward to see is that of superstar Odell Faith’s January 2012 sired by College Causeway, I know Kelly is excited about these and Noreen Power will undoubtedly be very excited to see how these turn out; we wish them well.

Keith Alsopp is a man that has been known to open up his cheque book and purchase some of the best greyhounds in training.

His wonderful greyhounds Slip The Lark and Tullymurry Act are just two examples, reports tell me Keith has some very exciting youngsters not far off hitting the track from these wonderful greyhounds.

A couple have hit the track and Slick Satori (Tullymurry Act – Slick Sioux, October 2011) looks a very exciting youngster, only had two career starts, he is definitely one to keep an eye on.

The Champagne Club have stumped up £50,000 before for greyhounds, no doubt the club guided by the brilliant Steve Fluin will continue to have the huge buying power but news just coming out that the club will be very excited about a certain puppy. Silverview Perky the fabulous tracker owned by Toni Tungatt and trained by Charlie Lister OBE not only won the 2011 English Oaks but won a huge fan base of admirers is to be mated to Bubbly Razldazl finalist in the 2011 Scottish Derby; the club will syndicate one of the pups.

Toystory King, won recently in the unraced on Three Steps To Victory night at Sheffield, just turned two but perhaps there is more to come from him in coming months.

One youngster that really caught my eye was live on BAGS at Sittingbourne; Right Touch for Heather Dimmock, write down this youngsters name he will be a star, only a September 2011 he showed blistering pace to win well. He now has a record of two runs with two wins, Puppy Derby prospect.

More and more owners/trainers are turning to the ‘Puppy Route’ in the hope of getting themselves a champion at a fraction of the cost. I and Elaine Wood set up the Best Of British Syndicate, the oldest puppy is April 2012 and he is called Delwood Ronnie, he looks to have a very promising career ahead of him.

There are some fantastic breeders in the UK and I would urge you to support them, BUY BRITISH and live the Puppy Dream.

WHAT’S ON AT COVENTRY GREYHOUND STADIUM

TO FIND OUT MORE VISIT THE WEBSITE

STAT ATTACK

Keeping stock of the stats to help you win

A

t the Greyhound Trainers Association they have a man who is a genius at working with stats and numbers, you really should check people may know this but if it was not for out the website they make for interesting Martyn Billymatt would not be here today.

He got ‘Gastric Enteritis’ Martyn stayed up reading.

Every month I will be looking at some all night with him, gave him treatment and of these stats and highlighting some that when the vet got there in the morning she catch my eye, hopefully you will enjoy them! said ‘we would have lost him, Martyn did Every effort has been made to ensure these everything right and for that we will always are correct but we can’t be held responsible be in his debt.

The setup is fantastic could not ask for for any mistakes. more, his dad Ernie, wife Pat, head kennelThis month we are looking at Martyn Wiley, Billymatt speaking to his owner hand Abbie and Scott are all brilliant. I nevClive Cottee and taking a look at the Derby er miss Sunday mornings at the kennel it venue Wimbledon along with one of their really is so warm and friendly, it is fantastic to be involved with everyone in the team.” top trainers Ricky Holloway.

HOW DID YOU GET INVOLVED IN Plus the very exciting Ladbrokes Trainers THE SPORT? Championship and competition winners.

“I was involved in a small way years ago, I have always been a sporty guy; I played Attached to Romford but Martyn is creat- a lot of golf but I had some health probing waves on the open-race scene currently lems and could not play anymore. Frank sitting on an incredible 37% (on 20th May) McAvennie told Tony I never could (Clive with eleven victories. In the graded ranks laughs). I was thinking about getting inMartyn has sent out 163 winners so far this volved in horse racing but Tony said ‘Dad year. let’s get a dog and run him at Romford.’ So Without doubt the kennel star is Billy- it was Tony really that kicked it all off, we matt, owned by Tony and Clive Cottee, he bought one and now have four and I absois named after the legendary striker’s twin lutely love it.” boys Billy and Matt now aged 15. There was HOW DOES SEEING ONE OF only one man to catch up with Clive Cot- YOUR DOG’S WIN COMPARE TO tee and get the low-down on Billymatt and SEEING TONY SCORE GOALS? Martyn Wiley.

“It is right up there, definitely on a par, HI CLIVE, CAN YOU TELL US it is quite euphoric seeing your dog win.

ABOUT YOUR TRAINER MARTYN Greyhound racing is a great leveller one minute you’re sky-high the next you get a WILEY? “Hi Mick, he is fantastic, not so many setback. Tony scored over 300 goals and I

Martyn Wiley

Martin Wiley

never got tired of seeing them, I hope we win over 300 greyhound races.”

IS BILLYMATT THE BEST GREYHOUND YOU HAVE OWNED SO FAR? “Undoubtedly, he has taken us on a magnificent journey, I’ve met loads of people and they always wish us well. The press and getting to speak to you it’s all part of it, greyhound racing is not a sport it is a fraternity, so many lovely people and there is so much more to owning a greyhound than I expected. It is brilliant and so pleased we got involved.”

HOW MUCH DID HE COST? “£2,250 – he has won more than that already, winning 15 out of 25, Martyn got him for us and have to say he deserves all the plaudits and credit.”

WHAT ARE YOUR DREAMS WITH HIM FOR 2013?

“We leave everything up to Martyn, we very rarely go and chase races, I love it at Romford and thankfully so does Billymatt but we will have a crack at the big race at Sunderland festival and National Sprint all being well. One dream I do have is to have all four greyhounds run on same night.”

WHAT OTHER GREYHOUNDS DO YOU OWN? “All the dogs are named after the family, my granddaughter kept asking about us getting a lady greyhound so we can name it after her so we have Lorrainecoco she is A1/open-class, we have Willrich he broke

WITH WWW.THEGTA.CO.UK

Billymatt

his hock in first race in A1 at Romford, it is exciting to see him on way back he is named after my father, we also have Alanwill who is A1/open/class named after my brother.”

CAN YOU SELL ROMFORD TO US? “Absolutely brilliant, it is first-class from car park attendants to racing manager. It is so friendly and very welcoming, the restaurant is fantastic and even the bookies are friendly. I love Romford for me it is the best track in the country, if any readers have not been I recommend it very highly.”

IF ANYONE IS THINKING ABOUT GETTING INVOLVED IN OWNERSHIP WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE THEM? “Ring Martyn Wiley, seriously look what he has done for us, you tell him what you want he gets it for you without it costing the world. He is a fantastic trainer and supported by a top class team with a great facility.”

IT WILL SOON BE THE DERBY, WHO WINS IT CLIVE? “Bonnamassa Rocks, local Romford greyhound trained by a lovely man in David Mullins, I wish them the best of luck.

He was great the other night beating Money Talks from Ireland.”

That was Clive Cottee, seriously one of the nicest men in the sport, you can watch his brilliant greyhound burning up the track at Romford most Friday nights live on RPGTV sky-channel 212.

WIMBLEDON – HOME OF THE DERBY

The fantastic William Hill Derby is just starting, greyhound will be chasing a superb £150,000 first-prize, so let’s take a look at the track stats; OPEN RACING Up to and including 20th May there has been 38 open races The hot traps are; T2 and T6 with 26.32%, 10 winners each The cold traps are; T4 2.63% 1 winner, T3 7.89% 3 winners.

It is a very small sample size so may not give a true reflection, interesting to see how the middle-runners get on during the Derby. On the graded scene T4 is actually the best trap with 19.82% but in all honesty it is a very level playing field between all traps on graded winner’s percentages.

FAVOURITES Trap 3 75% success rate when favourite Trap 4 25% success rate when favourite IRISH WINNERS Since the Derby switched to Wimbledon in 1985 there has been six-winners, during that period they have never gone five Derby’s without winning it, if there is no Irish winner this year it will be the longest they have gone without tasting victory in the classic at Wimbledon.

NORTHERN WINNERS No Northern trainer has won the Derby since its move to Wimbledon. The closest

was probably Belle Vue’s Nigel ‘Daddy’ Saunders with Sullane Castle in 1993.

Sheffield’s Barrie Draper will be hoping to change that with his band of stars this year.

The last winner was way back in 1977 thirty-six years ago when Belle Vue’s Eddie Moore won it with the brilliant Ballinska Band. If you’re looking for a Sheffield trainer you must go back to 1967 when Ron Hookway’s Tric Trac took the classic.

SCOTTISH WINNERS It does not look for Scottish trainers you must go all the way back to 1928 when Tommy Johnson won it with Boher Ash. HOME ADVANTAGE A lot of the time local trainers fare very well, since it has been staged at Wimbledon their trainers have won the classic twice; Phil Rees in 1985 with Pagan Swallow and Patsy Bryne in 1991 with Ballinderry Ash, gone a few years without a win, could Ricky Holloway win it or one of the other Wimbledon trainers?

DOUBLE DERBY WINS To win one Derby is fantastic but to win the great race back to back is out of this world, only one man can pull that off this year; Mark Wallis, if he does he will be following in the footsteps of Charlie Lister OBE 2010/2011 & 2000/2001 and Leslie Reynolds 1951/1952 & 1948/1949 who both pulled off the double twice.

One man a living legend has pulled of the most magical hat-trick ever Nick Savva who won it in 2005/2006/2007.

STAT ATTACK 2013 Open Race competition winners

Ricky Holloway

The GTA chairmen is having a brilliant year on the track, he landed the Springbok but his dogs are performing fantastic across the country. Without doubt Ricky is a much underrated trainer and the stats prove he is a real talent; he has bagged 28 open-race wins giving him 17%, and 27 graded-race wins giving him 18%. It is no mean feat to have won 28 open-races especially when you look at the level some of his greyhounds are competing at.

No doubt his star of the kennel is the country’s number-one hurdler at the moment Westmead Meteor but he is building a real nice kennel and is a man that should be followed for the remainder of the year.

There are currently only 11 trainers who have won more open-races so far this year.

LADBROKES TRAINERS CHAMPIONSHIP

Includes races up to and including 17/05/13

Win Pts £win 1 M A Wallis 289 95 £22827.5 2 C R Lister OBE 228 52 £26950 3 B Draper 215 31 £35575 4 C Allsopp 175 44 £22590 5 P W Young 147 64 £20205 6 K R Hutton 130 41 £10025 This is really hotting up, The Derby is nearly upon us and massive points are up for grabs, all the principles will have big runners.

The bookmakers have it a one horse race, I don’t see it like that; no doubt Mark Wallis is in a very strong position but you look at the quality in some of the other kennels and this could go all the way to the wire.

One lady who is on the march is Elaine Parker, on the 21st May Elaine landed a magnificent six-timer (four open-races) and by the time the new table comes out the Sheffield based team Parker will be challenging for a top-ten place.

Date Track Competition Prize Winner 2013-01-11 Romford Coral On TV Standard Trophy (cat 3) £750 Broadacres Buddy 2013-01-18 Romford Coral on TV Puppy Trophy (cat 3) £750 Rio Minstrel 2013-01-21 Nottingham Worthingtons Standard Trophy (cat 3) £500 Sawpit Sensation 2013-01-25 Romford The Coral TV Maidens Trophy (cat 3) £750 Glory Stream 2013-01-25 Romford The Coral Coronation Cup (cat 2) £5,000 Rockview Sail 2013-01-28 Nottingham Worthingtons Sprint Trophy (cat 3) £400 Dreams Of Glory 2013-01-28 Nottingham Worthingtons 480m Trophy (cat 3) £500 Frisby Barney 2013-02-01 Romford Coral On Tv Maiden Stayers Trophy (cat 3) £750 Joscar 2013-02-04 Nottingham Betfred Maiden Standard Trophy (cat 3) £400 Viking Legend 2013-02-11 Nottingham Stadium Bookmakers Guys and Dolls (cat 3) £500 Sawpit Sensation 2013-02-15 Romford The Coral On TV Trophy (cat 3) £750 Nans Turbo 2013-02-16 Crayford The 2013 Ladbrokes Golden Jacket (cat 1) £15,000 White Soks Roks 2013-02-16 Crayford The Peter Bussey Memorial Trophy (cat 2) £2,000 Bridge Bandit 2013-02-18 Nottingham William Hill 480m Trophy (cat 3) £500 Bit View Micko 2013-02-22 Romford The Coral On TV Bitches Trophy (cat 3) £750 Skate On 2013-02-25 Nottingham Betfred.com Sprint Trophy (cat 3) £400 Andlyns Asabat 2013-03-01 Romford Coral on TV Maiden Trophy (cat 3) £750 Aines Marx 2013-03-08 Romford Steve Simmons March Hare Trophy (cat 3) £750 Borna Monty 2013-03-08 Romford The Tony Williams Marathon (cat 3) £1,000 Aero Rebel 2013-03-10 Sheffield The Coors Queen Mother Memorial Cup (cat 3) £2,500 Stepaside Glenis 2013-03-11 Nottingham The Corona 480m Trophy (cat 3) £500 Cleveland Peter 2013-03-15 Monmore Ladbrokes Puppy Derby 2013 (cat 1) £12,500 Cluxtons Free 2013-03-15 Monmore Ladbrokes Spring Festival 630 (cat 2) £5,000 Ballyard Buddy 2013-03-15 Monmore Ladbrokes Spring Festival Bitches (cat 3) £1,000 Express Flame 2013-03-15 Monmore Ladbrokes Spring Festival Dogs (cat 3) £1,000 Bold Three 2013-03-15 Romford The Coral on TV Hurdle Trophy (cat 3) £750 Rummy Lord 2013-03-19 Wimbledon 2013 Springbok (cat 2) £5,000 Westmead Meteor 2013-03-22 Romford Coral on TV Stayers Trophy (cat 3) £750 Ding Hero 2013-03-29 Romford Coral on TV Trophy (cat 3) £750 Borna Monty 2013-04-01 Nottingham Betfred.com Standard Trophy (cat 3) £500 Cleveland Peter 2013-04-02 Poole The Red Lion Swanage Dorset Classic (cat 3) £2,000 Bush Standard 2013-04-05 Romford Coral on TV Maiden Stayers Trophy (cat 3) £750 Sparta Bama 2013-04-06 Newcastle Winning Lines British Bred Derby (cat 3) £1,500 Markeys Dragon 2013-04-06 Newcastle Gain Feeds Super Sprint (cat 3) £1,000 Drumsna Major 2013-04-07 Coventry Coventry Champion Hurdle (cat 2) £2,000 Droopys Lorenzo 2013-04-08 Nottingham Betfred The Bonus King Sprint Trophy (cat 3) £500 Dreams Of Glory 2013-04-09 Sheffield Sheffield Stadium Maiden Monkey (cat 3) £500 Glenpadden Post 2013-04-10 Coventry Cotton King Cup (cat 3) £1,000 Castlebride Dan 2013-04-12 Romford The Coral TV Maidens Trophy (cat 3) £750 Karma Cause 2013-04-15 Nottingham The Corona Standard Trophy (cat 3) £500 Cleveland Peter 2013-04-17 Kinsley The Betfred Gymcrack (cat 2) £6,000 Young Golden 2013-04-17 Coventry Full Pete Puppy Trophy (cat 3) £1,000 Teddy The Legend 2013-04-17 Kinsley Kinsley Stayers Trophy (cat 3) £600 Leap Of Faith 2013-04-17 Kinsley Kinsley Sprint Trophy (cat 3) £600 Monleek Town 2013-04-18 Hove The Charlie Miller Stayers (cat 3) £1,000 Holbeins Champ 2013-04-19 Romford Millenium Bookmakers Golden Sprint (cat 1) £8,000 Farloe Barracuda 2013-04-19 Romford Tony Williams Dual Distance Trophy (cat 3) £1,000 Sparta Bama 2013-04-19 Romford The Coral on TV Hurdle Trophy (cat 3) £750 Droopys Lorenzo 2013-04-21 Coventry Perambulate Stakes (cat 3) £1,000 Droopys Diop 2013-04-22 Nottingham The Corona Maiden 480m Trophy (cat 3) £400 Rock Of Hope 2013-04-26 Romford The Coral on TV Stayers Trophy (cat 3) £750 Ayamzabeauty 2013-04-28 Coventry Maesydd Michael Marathon Stakes (cat 3) £1,000 Ballymac Swift 2013-04-29 Nottingham The Betfred Mobile Sports 480m Trophy (cat 3) £500 Droopys Alfie 2013-05-01 Swindon The Pin Point Recruitment Arc (cat 1) £8,000 Shaneboy Alley 2013-05-01 Coventry Old Kentucky Puppy Prize (cat 3) £1,000 Afan Rico 2013-05-03 Romford Coral on TV Bitches Trophy (cat 3) £750 Fabulous Agenda 2013-05-04 Shawfield Ladbrokes Scottish Derby 2013 (cat 1) £10,000 Ballymac Eske 2013-05-05 Coventry Constable Cup (cat 3) £1,000 Jazz Apollo 2013-05-06 Nottingham The William Hill Stayers Trophy (cat 3) £500 Movealong Seanie 2013-05-07 Sheffield Coors Three Steps to Victory (cat 1) £7,000 Hather George 2013-05-10 Romford Tony Byerley Quicksilver Trophy (cat 3) £750 Swift Missile 2013-05-11 Yarmouth The PCS Legal Puppy Oaks (cat 3) £1,500 Aines Marx 2013-05-12 Coventry Haich Bee 1967 Hurdle (cat 3) £1,000 Westmead Meteor 2013-05-13 Nottingham BetfredTV Dual Distance Trophy (cat 3) £500 Fermoy Henry 2013-05-14 Hove The Coral Regency (cat 1) £8,000 Fear Emoski 2013-05-15 Coventry Jonquil 1960 Bitches Stake (cat 3) £1,000 Russelena Barbie 2013-05-16 Monmore Ladbrokes.com 480 (cat 3) £500 Butts Mott 2013-05-17 Romford Coral on TV Standard Trophy (cat 3) £750 Millstreet Lar 2013-05-19 Coventry Best Champagne 1962 Stayers Trophy (cat 3) £1,000 Droopys Diop 2013-05-19 Sittingbourne Sittingbourne Sprint (cat 3) £500 Nicolas Eliah 2013-05-20 Nottingham The Grolsch Standard Trophy (cat 3) £500 Sawpit Sensation

Trainer J A White D C Riordan D A Hunt E A Gaskin G B Ballentine C R Lister Obe D R Pruhs C Allsopp J E Hayton D A Hunt E A Gaskin D C Riordan M A Wallis C Price E Mcnair K Billingham D Mullins J W Reynolds P W Young J R Smith G A Howson C Allsopp B Draper C Allsopp P A Sallis A J Ingram R J Holloway K R Hutton J W Reynolds G A Howson K J Findlay J J Heath H J Dimmock J A Little D Childs C R Lister Obe B Draper M A Wallis J B Thompson G A Howson P W Young C R Lister Obe M Daniels D R Pruhs G J Gower (Sr) B Draper J J Heath D Childs J Watts D R Pruhs D Mullins J G Mullins B Denby E Mcnair C Allsopp P W Young B Draper M A Wallis P C White C R Lister Obe J W Reynolds D Mullins R J Holloway D R Pruhs C R Lister Obe M Cutler P I Cowdrill P W Young J Watts P R Hebbs D A Hunt

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OWNERS BONUS SERIES FROM 21st April – 20th May

W

hen you look at defining moments of the sport the fantastic Owner’s Bonus Series must come into the reckoning has one of the greatest initiatives that was introduced.

For years owners in the UK could not see their beloved charges taking part in stake races for all grades but now thanks to the GBGB that is no longer a dream, it is happening all over the country and the sport is in a much better place for it.

Competitions normally involve 18 greyhounds with a heat and final worth £500 to the winner, £100 for each finalist (total £1,100 prize-money for finals) we really should be celebrating these; here are this month’s best winners, congratulations from everyone at Greyhound Express to connections of all winners.

We must also thank the governing body for allowing us to use results directly off www.thedogs.co.uk thank-you GBGB.

TOP PERFORMERS

1st: Ryves Rock, Trainer; Barry O’Sullivan, Track; Crayford, see feature.

2nd: Rocket Power, Trainer; Mona Wainwright, Track; Sheffield. Rocket Power did fantastic to qualify in the heats after trouble, got up to win and duly obliged again in the final, a very slow break but he came home like an express train to land the final.

3rd: Surry Rose, Trainer; Robert Hardy, Track; Doncaster. Put in a brilliant performance winning the heat and final of the A3 stake.

Ryves Is A Touch Rock To Crack

A truly amazing performance from Ryves Rock saw him win the A1 Bonus Series Final at Crayford. I was quite literally blown away, how he managed to win is remarkable, bumped at the start, crowded out at the third-bend and then bumped again at the fourth-bend are comments very rarely attached to a winner; especially over 380m. He was sent off the 5/4 favourite but his supporters (myself included) were left fearing the worst, he showed fantastic guts, determination and real class to get up right on the line by a short-head over long-time leader Sharons Delight in 23.85. A very worthy winner of performance of the month.

Ryves Rock is no stranger to winning nice races, last year he was Crayford’s BAGS/SIS Easter Bunny Champion and that was when Mr J.B Riney MBE became his proud owner, not getting any younger Ryves Rock must have been a real pleasure to own and be involved with. I caught up with his trainer Barry O’Sullivan; “He is a real character, you know when he gets to the boxes he won’t walk back away from them when on parade. He is a real fast dog but being honest he should have won more than he has, his downfall is he loves trap-one and sometimes it’s been hard for him away from the red. He was brilliant the other night winning the Owners Bonus Series, he really was. Hopefully plenty more wins to come and we might try him over hurdles again sometime in the future.”

Barry what do you think about the Owner’s Bonus Series in general?

“Absolutely fantastic, they are superb, more the merrier if you ask me. They were very much needed and are brilliant for everyone connected to the sport. It means a lot for owners and

trainers to be involved in these races.”

Crayford is a fantastic track Barry, I love the variation what is it like to train on there?

“Brilliant Mick, just look at the Owner’s Bonus Series, the racing office put on real variety, I’ve seen puppy races, staying races, hurdle events. It is amazing a fantastic racing office who really put a lot of thought into the racing. They say variety is the spice of life you certainly get that at Crayford.”

Ryves Rock

THE CRAYFORD WIGGLERS SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE SKY CHANNEL 212

RACING EVERY FRIDAY AND SATURDAY NIGHT

Come and see what you’re missing @ www.crayford.com

BAGS NEWS

Sky Sports a massive success

G

reyhound racing is one of the toughest wickets to bat on, the forumites have sharp claws and trust me they are not afraid to scratch if anything appears out of place or not up to the standards they expect.

It was always going to be tough to follow Dave Lawrence and his team especially on a smaller budget but they have managed to do a fantastic job.

The programmes are getting slicker, they are building their own style and delivering a first-class show. Tony Ennis, Jonathon Hobbs, Darrell Williams, Errol Blyth and Gary Wiltshire in my opinion was always going to be a hit.

What many people were worried about was the backroom team; well they have managed to pull it off. The silence on the forums speaks volumes and tells everyone that the team have done well.

For me it was always really only about one thing; the fantastic greyhounds on the track, say what you want but we are truly blessed.

We have the strongest crop of top-class greyhounds we have seen on these shores for a very long time. Sky Greyhounds produced by BAGS/SIS have delivered the remaining dates for the second half of the year and it really does throw up some mouth-watering dates for your diary.

FOLLOW THE FORM

The remaining Sky Sports dates were not the only good piece of news that came out of BAGS towers this month.

Check out their website and now you can get the full race form well in advance in their ‘Form Centre’.

This is fantastic news for so long now punters have had to wait till the day of the race in many cases, this potentially will make a big difference.

Get all the form here; www.bagsracing. co.uk/greyhoundform.html

Fear Emoski

SKELLEFTEÅ

SWEDEN

A week like no other

SWEDISH CHAMPIONSHIP 20-27 JULY 2013

CATERING PACKAGE includes Free entry and racecard 20 SEK Bet A light meal A drink of your choice, softdrink, beer or wine Coffee and a biscuit Free entry and racecard to the next race meeting Skellefteå Greyhound Park is the most modern track in Sweden and based on the Sandown Park track in Australia.

The Swedish Championships makes this a great venue for social gathering.

The Town of Skellefteå is a picturesque town and a catch for a fantastic weeks holliday with greyhound racing www.skellefteahundkapp.se

+46-(0)70-533 13 92

Get your fix five times a week

Clive Lawrence on behalf of greyhound fans all over the world we salute you!

Not only is the RPGTV programme on five nights a week, the team brought us The Scottish Derby and now will bring us the first two rounds of the Derby itself from Wimbledon.

Wednesday night; Coventry and Romford Thursday night; Hove and

Monmore Green Friday; Romford and Sunderland Saturday; Crayford and Newcastle Sunday; Coventry NB schedule could change to show the Derby Thanks to RPGTV we now get to see top quality openrace action and brilliant graded races from some of the best tracks in the country.

Once upon a time you only got to see the stars of the sport on Sky Sports but now no matter what night you tune in you are likely to see some top-class action.

Best of all it is FREE, yes you read that correctly FREE if you have not done so already tune in and start enjoying this brilliant programme

TOP TELLY PERFORMERS

Best bets from the box Every month the brilliant Dave Clark will be scanning RPGTV and Sky Sports to discover the best performances in TV land. Do you agree with his choices? Contact Dave on twitter @DaveClarkRP 1. Fear Emoski

Some greyhounds travel well, they sleep the whole journey without a bother and can be taken the length and breadth of the country to compete at the highest level without any fluctuation in their form.

Some struggle to settle when travelling, they can’t sleep or relax whether it be via van, car or any other mode of transport, and they can prove a real headache for trainers.

Regardless of the category into which Fear Emoski falls, Charlie Lister’s bitch suffered a nightmare seven-hour journey to the south coast from Newark for the Regency final - not exactly ideal preparation for her first Category One final.

To just about make it in time for the £8,000 showpiece, and then perform in the manner in which she did, was truly remarkable.

It is easy to forget she had just one single six-bend race to her name - a 659m romp at Yarmouth during Trainers’ Championship - before entering the Regency and had barely seen a rival in a stayers’ event prior to the decider.

There were plenty at Hove on that rainswept night who thought Lister’s bitch may just feel the effects of her journey when she trailed behind both Sidaz Dippy and Ayamzabeauty early on.

However, the maturity, bravery and cleverness in which Fear Emoski rode bumps at turns three and four before negotiating both rivals ahead of her fully warranted the cheers and applause from those on the terraces.

On just her fifth start over an extended distance, it was difficult not to be in awe of what this daughter of Top Honcho achieved. She encountered tedious traffic en route to the track as well as on her travels on the sand, and still got the job done against a top class field. She is a no-brainer for May’s performance of the month.

Charlie Lister

BY DAVE CLARK

Fear Emoski

2. Sawpit Sensation

The gentleman of greyhound racing, Dave Hunt, had himself a real head scratcher coming into May, with his superstar Sawpit Sensation looking a shadow of his former self.

Running no sort of race in three defeats since success in the Guys & Dolls Trophy final at his beloved Colwick Park, it was no wonder Hunt’s ‘Willie’ (kennel name) was allowed to go off 6-1 for a 509m race at Swindon on Arc final night.

What was to follow in front of the Sky cameras was quite astonishing. For only the second time in Sawpit Sensation’s 41-race career he burst from the boxes like a uncoiling spring to lead his rivals a merry dance.

Powering all the way to the line, he was certainly not for catching given how well he sees out 480m-plus trips.

The likes of talented trio Airlie Impact, Longwood Fantasy and Ballymac Cryan were reduced to mere supporting roles to the Sawpit Sensation show that night.

Smashing the clock by 16 spots, Hunt’s kennel star gave an exquisite exhibition of front-running, well and truly reinstating himself among the best currently in training.

3. Droopys Move

Ernie Gaskin’s Droopys Move burst onto the stayers’ scene this month, with a taking effort to shed her maiden tag in front of RPGTV cameras one May Friday night at Romford.

With just one win from nine in graded affairs before comfortably landing an S1 on her six-bend debut, few could have predicted what was to ensue.

It was by no means the strongest maiden race, but Romford is certainly not a track to be playing catch-up at. Slowly away, then forced to check at the opening turn, Gaskin’s young bitch had it all to do to remain competitive.

Beginning to motor as the field crossed the winning line for the first time; it became apparent that the improbable may just become possible as she went through the gears.

Scything through the field at a phenomenal rate and able to incredibly hit the front off the fourth bend, this July 11 whelp was far from finished.

Careering further and further clear of the field to eventually score by just shy of 14 lengths, it was evident another staying star was born.

She stopped the clock at 35.06sec - a

time bettered only once so far this year.

Look at the calibre of greyhounds that run over the 575m trip on a weekly basis at London Road, not to mention the Category One Coronation Cup having already taken place – so to produce such a run for a novice stayer was outstanding.

Greyhound to follow: Global Made, (bk d Droopys Scolari - Express Dawn Sep-2011, trained by Jimmy Fenwick) On his debut at Newcastle, it was difficult not to be impressed by this son of Droopys Scolari. I sat next to trainer Jimmy Fenwick on the RPGTV sofa, and it was obvious plenty was expected on debut and just how highly regarded he is within the kennel. Carrying smart Irish form and a lofty reputation, the youngster did not disappoint, running a decent A3 field ragged aided by a smart 4.69sec sectional. Coupled with his bravery at the first bend, a wonderful opportunity to strike at the first time of asking arose - and he certainly took it. His 29.01sec winning time was bettered on the night only by top-class performer Nadurra Alvaro, and there is unquestionably plenty more to come. Such a scopey and exciting sort, his next appearance is eagerly awaited.

COLUMNISTS

Rab McNair – the columnist the greyhound world wanted When it comes to greyhound characters they do not get any bigger than Rab McNair when we did a poll this is the man you all wanted, so here he is exclusive to Greyhound Express – the one and only Rab McNair!

Do you have a question for Rab or would like to have a greyhound trained by him and Liz email greyhounds2008@live.co.uk

Paul and Susan Hennessy with Barefoot Bullet

DERBY TIME

What a month it’s been; winning the Arc at Swindon with Shaneboy Alley and the dogs going well at Wimbledon in trials and trialstakes.

It is Derby time and £150,000 up for grabs, we have young Kevin Hennessy staying with us, his dad looks to have some team.

Do not panic though and problems we will stick Kevin in the cellar and make sure we come out on top.

I am of course only joking, me and Paul go way back around 15-20 years, I bought a cracking bitch off him Kingston Rogue better known on the flapping track under the name ‘Linda’. We seriously wish them well and hope they enjoy their stay with us.

OUR TEAM

I told you all about Alley, he is fine and was tremendous at Swindon, if we can keep him running like that he will go a long way in the Derby.

He runs an amazing bend, is so brave at the corner dare I say it ‘A proper Wimbledon dog’. Skate On, trialled back well for first four-bend run for 12 weeks clocking 24.27 -20 at Romford, she can explode from the traps and listen she has massive improvement in her. Shaneboy Spencer, remember I told you about him, he won a trial-stake this fella is brave and is a real clever dog, proper bottle and there is a ton of improvement in him, this lad is not there to make up the numbers, if we can keep him in it he will only get faster and faster.

Tulligoline, King Nicky and Bradley, Nicky won a trial stake at Wimbledon, I gave Mick him and he was duly tipped up in Sport newspaper, the other two are nice dogs also.

Every year there is an outsider who has a

wonderful Derby why can’t it be one of these lads? I can’t wait for Derby to start NOW bring it on – good luck to everyone taking part, may the dogs come off safe. IT’S DERBY TIME

1 Eden Brett – Pretty Fantasty is his breeding 2 He will be called King _________ 3 His last name we decided to call him after a character in the show Emmerdale

Remember the pups I was schooling, well one of these looks like a little champion, I’m not just going to give you his name but if you want to do a little work it will pay dividends, this pup can run. Ok clues;

All the questions come to Mick and he fires them at me, if your question does not get answered blame Mick hehe, seriously keep them clean Mick tells me some have been making him blush!!!

ONE TO FOLLOW

QUESTIONS

RAB MCNAIR Q RAB YOU’RE A PROUD SCOTSMAN WHY DID YOU NOT RUN IN THE SCOTTISH DERBY? (From several readers or similar question) That was not a decision we took lightly, we talked about it and gave it a lot of consideration but it came down to two reasons; 1) Travelling, The Arc was 2 ½ hours away V 8 hours to get to Shawfield 2) We felt it was not the ideal preparation for the Derby at Wimbledon, I may be Scottish but the English Derby is the one everyone wants to win. The boxes are completely different if they were the old style curve boxes we may have gone, I did not want the dog changing boxes. It is one or the other for me English Derby or Scottish Derby so hard to win one let alone both.

TRAPS

Decided to expand on the traps (boxes) why we can’t all tracks have the same is beyond me.

Let’s get rid of these new hydraulic boxes also for good measure, it was not broke why did we try and fix it? Give me the old style curve front boxes anytime, these new traps are faulty the pinging box is trap 3 – it should be a level playing field.

If I bought a new car and three years down the line they discovered there was a fault they would recall it and fix it. I don’t know who invented/made these new traps but he should take them all back and sort them out, in my opinion it is not right. It is a no contest for me; the curve boxes are far superior.

LIZZIE GET YOUR LEGS OUT

Years ago when I and Lizzie were first married, let me tell you she had the figure of a ‘Super Model’ and we used that to our advantage on the flaps.

Coatbridge was the track, Ricky Grant was the racing manager, we stayed well out of the way sent Lizzie with a mini skirt on (it was the size of one of my belts) she caused a right stir and a real distraction, Lizzie went to track a few times to grade on this dog.

They were too busy checking out Lizzie and the dog got a right mark, Lizzie took him on this night and we smashed him off the boards, the dog bolted in and we bought new suits. I don’t know what is getting me more excited thinking about the great win we had or Lizzie in that skirt hehe.

Ricky Grant is a great man and we had some mighty crack over the years, well done

to our Lizzie she pulled it off in style. See you all next month and remember if Kevin does not turn up at Wimbledon check the cellar.

Paul Hennessy

It is great we are staying with Rab and Lizzie, we may tie Rab up and hold him hostage in the cellar by the time the final comes around there will only be his bones left. Talking of Rab’s cellar it is unreal I have never seen so many bottles of Don Perignon in my life. All joking a side the banter will be ferocious but we wish Rab all the best. We have a cracking team and likewise so does Ireland,

it will be an Irish victory this year, the only thing I am worried about is there is so much early-pace I hope the hare driver can keep up. The best chance Rab has of getting his hands on the trophy is when we go back to his house after the final haha.

God willing it will be a great competition and we need the luck, Priceless Sky and Money Talks are probably our best chances but the rest of the team are good dogs. This will be the best English Derby ever, thanks to the sponsors, the McNairs and best of luck to everyone in the Derby.

the occasional brood bitch having managed to get out of the room and and found lying comfortably on her back on the sofa...... sorry if easily this is the Daily Sport.... so here is the 10 boobed woman.

BREEDING GROUND

The fun starts here!

W

e have just sent our latest brood to Ireland this week for mating. Her name is Soviet Fantasy, bred

by Kilmallock based Eamonn Cronin and owned by a Sheffield based syndicate, we arranged a deal to have a litter from her.

She has been sent to be mated to Shaneboy Lee. When she returns, the fun won’t be too far away. As with all our broods, we whelp them in the house.

They have a nice big whelping box complete with duvet, the bitches are always made comfortable and it is better for us to be 10 boobed woman. This we can cope with.... but sometimes the This‘girls’ we can copefurther. with....We buthave sometimes thein'girls' gonight, even when further. We go even been lying bed at ‘on top’ of this whelping process. we have heard the ‘patter’ of a broodie making her way up stairs, It doesn’t though always come without its hazards. We have of-lying in bed at night, when we have heard the 'patter' of a broodie mak pushing the bedroom door wide open and then jumping on top of ten returned to the house from the kennels to find various states ofstairs, pushing the bedroom door wide open and then jumping on top o destruction, a sheepskin rug ripped to pieces, headphones chewed, us in bed !

It was thisatpoint that we we we needed a baby Itatwas this point thatdecided we decided needed a babygate. gate.It's It’snever d papers ripped, and the occasional brood bitch having managed to never dullhouse, with a especially brood in the house, when they havewhat thi get out of the room and into the next and found lying comfortablybrood in the when theyespecially have pups.... wonder on her back on the sofa...... sorry if easily offended... but here is the pups.... wonder what this time will bring ?

bring ?

Fear Emoski – winner Regency 695m Hove Head Honcho Top Honcho Rainbow High Fear Emoski Premier Fantasy Kildallon Maid Linger

Walkabout Sid Fitzroy Lass Double Summit Rainbow Bright Premier County Nifty Niamh Spiral Nikita Martinstown Gold

Fear Emoski recorded her 11th win from 16 starts when winning the 2013 Regency at Hove. Her 11 wins have come from distances ranging from 485m Coventry (best 29.24) up to the Regency distance of 695m (best 41.01 calc.) She comes from a rare Top Honcho litter whelped some time after his death, the litter also includes Arc finalist Longwood Warrior. Her sire Top Honcho needs no introduction as he completely ripped up and re-wrote the record books with his phenomenal record as a stud dog.

Dam Kildallon Maid was a prolific winner, winning 19 of her 40 races. These wins included winning the Group 2 puppy Oaks (525yds) at Shelbourne Park as well as another Group 2 success over 575yds at the same track. Some of her best times include 28.41 Newbridge, 28.51 Shelbourne Park and 29.47(550yds) at Lifford.

Premier Fantasy won 11 of his 16 races and was voted 2004 Irish greyhound of the year. He won the 2003 National puppy stake at Shelbourne Park as well as the 2004 Easter cup also at Shelbourne Park which he won in a track record time of 28.08. He was unbeaten in the English greyhound Derby before breaking his hock in the semifinal, which ended his career when he was only just 2 years old. Linger won 2 from 8 races, winning in 29.46 at Longford and 34.50 over 620yds at Dundalk.

WITH JOHN MARRIOTT Hather George – winner 3 steps to victory (480,500,660m) Hey Vern

EJ's Douglas

Abigail Girl

Hondo Black Hondo Sassafrass Hather George Top Honcho Culmore Gift Sperrin Gift

RB's Ruler Hondo Tormentor Head Honcho Rainbow High Slaneyside Hare Mineola Gift

Hather George maintained a rich vein of form when completing his unbeaten run in the 3 steps to victory competition at Sheffield. He has won his last 6 races, and 11 of his last 13, and brings his race record to 25 wins from 58 starts. Some of his best times include 28.81 (500m) Sheffield, 28.39 (480m) Newcastle, and 29.46 (500m) at Nottingham. His sire Hondo Black is a solid all round sire who always seems to produce good all round pace in his stock. Dam Culmore Gift was the winner of the 2006 North West Oaks at Lifford in a time of 28.88. She won 8 of her 22 races with all of her wins coming at the Lifford venue. Culmore Gift comes from a litter that also included Mineola Zeus, a finalist in the 2005 puppy Derby at Harolds Cross, the 2006 Easter Cup at Shelbourne Park, and the 2006 North West Derby at Lifford.

Sperrin Gift was also a winner at Lifford recording a best of 29.02.

Shaneboy Alley – winner Arc 480m Swindon Roanokee Ballymac Maeve Blonde Returns Shaneboy Alley Top Honcho Shaneboy Dorie Shaneboy Ruth

New Tears Free Method Phantom Flash Blonde Slippy Head Honcho Rainbow High Staplers Jo Mountleader Ruth

Shaneboy Alley saved the best until last as he won the 2013 Arc at Swindon in a new Track Record time of 28.18 for the 480m. His unbeaten run through the competition brought his race record to 9 wins from 18 races, and 3 from 3 in the UK. His Irish card boasts some fast times including a very quick 28.37 at Tralee. Ballymac Maeve is a sire noted for early pace. He won 5 of his 10 races, all as a puppy. His best times were 28.46 (+30) at Cork and a 17.60 sprint win at Tralee. Shaneboy Dorie was the winner of the 2006 Cambridgeshire over 700yds at Limerick. She won 8 of her 38 races with other wins including 29.45 at Clonmel, and a 29.82 (550) win at Limerick Shaneboy Ruth won 5 of her 15 races, with some of her best times including 29.89 at Limerick, 30.36(550) at Limerick, and 39.88(700yds) again at Limerick.

Mountleader Ruth is a half sister to early pace producing stud dogs Mountleader Peer and Fancy Joe.

GENTLEMAN JIM REYNOLDS

Bach at stud in Germany O rchard Kennels superstar Droopys Bach (pic above) or Seb as he’s is known to his friends has taken the next big step in his career; after retiring from racing at Romford he is now living the Life of Riley as a stud dog in Germany.

He is now in the expert care of Stephan & Sylke Arnold who operates Monarchenhugel Kennel in Lipzig, which is one of the most successful breeding kennels in Germany. I met Stephan and his daughter Marianne when they were in the UK looking at greyhound racing kennels and race tracks, and when I realised how passionate they were about their greyhounds we arranged to send two of our recently retired greyhounds to them to become their resident brood bitches.

Both Senspiration and Astounding went on to become prolific brood bitches throwing many open class winners, but the most satisfying aspect of this arrangement was the quality of life they both had in Germany. In fact, Senspiration who is an August 2000 whelp by Spiral Nikita x Sensational still rules the roost and is the picture of health and is looking forward to her 13th birthday soon.

Racing in Germany differs from ours as there is no prize money on offer and gambling on the greyhounds is not allowed, but the owners are fiercely competitive when attending race weekends. The quality of care and the attention to detail the Arnolds give to the dogs in their care is second to none and the success they get on the race track is greatly deserved. Monarchenhugel Kennel greyhounds can be seen on their web site or on greyhound-data.

It Is Derby Time

Trainers with runners in this year’s greyhound derby are now getting into full swing with their charges; this race is the one everyone wants to win. Year after year we hear hard luck stories with bad trap draws, being drawn in the toughest race of the night or worst of all Lameness.

We have been unfortunate in that respect as Borna Monty was found to be lame after his last trial at Wimbledon, I had expected good improvement from Monty’s first run round the track and although he won his trial he did not go as well as he should have.

When he was checked over we found he had two small problems, these issues are miniscule in terms of overall health and could have been cleared with an intense course of treatment on our ultrasound and electo-magnetic treatment boxes, but after a long discussion with his owner Peter Brown it was decided not to enter what is one of the hardest races in the world to win.

This was a tough decision as I know Monty on his best form would have been good enough to compete with some of the best dogs in Ireland

Trip To Ireland

and the UK, the connections of Kisses For Cloda have also gone through the emotional rollercoaster at Wimbledon after stopping the clock in an amazing 28.19 in a trial when other top class derby contenders were doing 28.50’s only to find out later in the evening he had a hock problem.

The son of Ace Hi Rumble x Droopys Kee is a young greyhound and will be an exciting prospect when he is back on track.

We do have two entries for this year’s race, both Courts Ad Stanly and Sigma Five go into the competition in good form; Stan the exceptionally well bred son of Flying Stanley x Borna Moon clocked the fastest sectional doing a 4.72 in last weeks trial stakes and was unlucky after trouble round the first two bends and with a clear run will show good improvement. Scottish born & bred Sigma Five a son of the late Killahan Phanter is lightly raced and has won A4 to open races at Romford in recent weeks where he clocked a 24.07 last time, he will be an outsider but if the improvement he has shown continues he should be competitive.

Applaud GBGB Committee

The Disciplinary Committee of the GBGB should be applauded for their level headed approach to the recent batch of Bute positives that came before them, the problems that are faced by the meat industry overall in relation to either bad working practice or criminal activities has impacted on greyhound trainers ability to both feed our greyhounds the best we possibly can, and to work to the very strict guidelines put in place by the GBGB to safeguard both the welfare of our greyhounds and the public who bet on our sport. The outcome of these findings show that the GBGB are showing an awareness of these problems, but I would back the GBGB to the hilt when dealing with anyone in our sport found to be attempting to cheat the system.

I have just arrived back from Ireland where our kennel have several litters of pups; our first stop was in Co. Tipperary where top Irish breeder Rory Dwan has a fine litter going through their paces at the schooling track in Erril Co. Laois. These saplings are by Timor Blue x Borna Moon and if the dams previous litters are anything to go by there will be plenty to look forward to once they start their racing careers; they went round Joe Tierney’s track with the pace, style and an enthusiasm that you always get from the greyhounds that carry the ‘Borna’ prefix.

Anne & Michael Fitzgerald have bred, reared and schooled some of the finest greyhounds to have graced the tracks in both Ireland and UK, they currently have two litters on their farm from brood bitches that raced at Orchard Kennels. Borna Blue has her first litter by Rumble Impact, she has been a doting mother to her pups and although they were only born 2nd Dec 2012 they look every inch champions in the making already. Droopys Mumba’s second litter

by Ace Hi Rumble have just turned 12 months old and are ready to start their schooling, every pup I have had from this sire has ticked all the right boxes and this litter are no exception.

It is no coincidence that every stud dog I use for my brood bitches are all based at Sean & Michael Dunphy’s ‘Droopys Stud’, they are the busiest stud in Ireland with a great variety of top class stud dogs, in my opinion they give the best service a brood bitch owner could ever expect.

Having a litter of pups is a long, tough and expensive road to go down so it is important the people you deal with at every stage are looking after both the dam and pups best interest; that said the rewards when watching pups grading then hopefully winning a race are immeasurable.

Birds Eye View

Flying back to Stansted late last night reminded me of the strangest way I had ever seen a greyhound race; many years ago when flying back from Cork on a Sunday evening we were descending as we got closer to the airport. An owner who lived and worked in Harlow was trying to show me where his work was from the air so we were intently looking at everything below us when I suddenly seen a greyhound track fully lit up, we realised that we were over Rye House as this was the only track in the area that raced on Sundays with a full open race card. Just as we were overhead the sprint traps flew open and we could see quite clearly against the bright silica sand the greyhounds hurtling to the first bend, it was an amazing sight seeing this from such a height; it was definitely a birds eye view.

MARK PIERREPONT

Salacres - a team going places T here’s nowhere else to start this month than The Greyhound Derby. As you read this some of the runners and their connections will be making other plans, whilst for some they will still be dreaming of glory.

For most, it is just a dream, but for one greyhound and his or her connections it is a dream that will become reality on the 29th June. As a kennel we have just one entry for the famous competition.

We’ve entered our charity greyhound Head Case. It’s been a long road with this dog since his purchase last year, but he won his latest race at Nottingham in 1768 and deserves to take his place.

He’s a stronger dog than when he was younger in our opinion and with his early pace he could be just the type to go a few rounds. He’s got to sort his trapping out at Wimbledon as he’s not yet come away, but if he does, then his syndicate of owners can enjoy the dream that only an entry in the competition can bring.

We do still have a handful of all inclusive 1% shares available for sale in Head Case , they are just £100 per share and with all prize-money won by him going to www. headcase.org.uk it is an excellent way to get involved in a top class dog for what is very small money.

Were You On The Ferry?

pecting him to race in the higher grades.

He came over with a virus though and was drastically underweight in no time. It’s taken a lot of hard work from the team at the kennels to get Brent back into shape but as I type he’s now won his last two races, firstly in A5 and then following up in A4. Peter believes he could go through another couple of grades yet so keep him on side.

My two dogs to follow from my first column have both pleased in the past month.

Alien Planet , who had initially been a little disappointing, sprung back to life when winning his race at Wimbledon on 4th May and has since ran a further two times at the track , finishing second on both occasions.

He’s getting plenty of track experience and I still hold the belief he can go a long way in the competition. Our graded dog to follow from the first column, Salacres Ferry , comSalacres Polizzi meanwhile has finally pleted an A1 double during the past month come into season. ‘Polly’ as she’s known , winning at rewarding odds of 9/2 and 4/1. in the kennel would have been a high class Hope you put him in your notebooks. six to eight bend performer with any doubt.

Over trips too short and at a young age she reached the 2011 Produce Stakes Final at Swindon and was an impressive winner of Our dog to follow for this month is Sa- The WJ & JE Caerns Memorial 500 Invitalacres Brent. We bought this dog fully ex- tion race at Sittingbourne in the same year.

We Love The Puppies

Get On Brent To Pay Your Rent!!!

Unfortunately she was to suffer a bad injury not long after and though she has since ran in graded races at Nottingham, she could only show glimpses of what might have been. The main aim has always been to breed a litter from her though and she has now gone over to Ireland to be mated with Shaneboy Lee. Some decent breeding judges have recommended a son of Brett Lee as a suitable sire and with Shaneboy Lee being suitable in that department , and with him being the sire of super dog Roxholme Bully, Peter decided to take his chance with Lee. Hopefully that will prove a wise decision and in 2014 we will have some nice pups to look forward to.

Thanks for reading and don’t forget you can always keep a check on what’s happening at our kennel throughout the month at www.salacresracingteam.com

www.editors-choice.co.uk GET MICK LIVESEY’S GREYHOUND TIPS FOR LESS THAN £1 PER DAY!!

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PLUS Being a member gives you extras: 1) Have your card marked on any horse racing meeting in UK or Eire of your choice 2) Have your card marked on any greyhound meeting in UK or Eire of your choice

COLUMNISTS

The sport is taking off again

I

t is not often you’re sitting at home on a Tuesday evening pricing up the Women’s European Championships only to then receive a message on twitter with someone who has more than 20,000 followers, is it? Well, I did. And for a minute, only a minute, I felt like a celebrity.

I had heard an awful lot about this new ‘Greyhound Express’ magazine. And within seconds Mick Livesey had sold it to me.

And it’s fantastic, isn’t it? It’s what the sport needs. RPGTV has been somewhat a revelation, the new Sky Sports greyhound programme, the live interviews at tracks, the live updates leading up to the Derby via the Racing Post (courtesy of Jim Cremin).

It’s just marvellous. It seems that this childhood loved sport of mine is slowly but surely starting to take off again.

Background

I’m 22 years old now and have loved greyhound racing from a very young age. I was recently informed by my dad that i made my first ever appearance at Wimbledon stadium at the tender age of 6 months. According to my dad, it was a ‘three months later than planned’.

Rumour has it, my mum was shopping in the Kings Road on this particular Friday and she was odds against to make it home in time for my dad to make the first at ‘The Don’. Bit of dilemma considering his only financial wager of the night was running in the first.

‘1 looks plotted, 2 moves off on the run up, 3 is only just out of season, 4s a million, 5 looks lame & 6 is the only possible danger, but I can’t back that with yours’. So then dad, where’s the tote?

Derby Night Gamble

my uncle isn’t much of a punter, far from it in fact but he was far too bullish about this to just simply ignore.

‘The dog is bouncing, I can’t hold him’ ‘You fancy him then?’

‘Whatever you have on him, it won’t be enough’ That was enough for me. Being 11 years old I gave my dad the strict instructions to be going ‘all in’. Hills were up first, followed by Ladbrokes. They both made him a 10/1 chance. Less than an hour had passed and they had been knocked over, 9s/8s/7s/6s/5s. I think by lunchtime the whole of south London were on. Landing a gamble on Derby final night, live on sky, doesn’t get much better than this, does it?

Cloheena Dingo duly obliged. What a race, what a night, what a fantastic memory.

As I got older I found myself with a huge passion for the sport. My Uncle, Michael Purdy trained a few greyhounds at Reading stadium. What a track that was too by the way, a proper greyhound track, proper racing, proper greyhound people topped off with proper bookmakers. It had everything.

Although undoubtedly the most special Derby night I have experienced came at Wimbledon in 2001. I was only 11, but I The ‘not so great’ Derby memory decidremember it like yesterday. My uncle had a runner in the Dorando Marathon - Clohee- ed it was going to pop up last year. 2012. na Dingo. I remember my dad’s phone ring- This my friends, was the day I thought I’d ing very early that morning. In all honesty, cracked it. This was the day I could have

Sky Would Have Changed My Life

left full-time employment (semi-retired is all the rage at the moment you know) behind me and galloped off into the sunset with enough money that people like ourselves can only dream of. Leaving me with nothing to worry about apart from where my next Malibu and coke was coming from.

I had backed Taylors Sky at all prices to do the double and to do exactly what he done the year before by winning the greyhound derby and retaining his crown. He never looked himself throughout the competition. He seemed to have lost some of his early pace, he had a difference in running style and I think his class and class only got him to the final. He was treated very kindly with trap draws through the rounds which definitely helped but unfortunately was drawn trap 4 in the final.

I was struggling financially at the time.

So winning thousands of pounds sounded right up my street. We all know what happened though. Taylors Sky, from the coffin box did manage to ping in the final and was a whisker away from turning the bend in front. i think ‘unlucky’ pretty much sums

CALLUM PURDY up events in the race. Within seconds of booking my tickets to America, the Hollywood dream was over.

Oh, I’m torturing myself here. For anyone that can’t remember the race, you can watch it here - http://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=-oRFKeXdfr

Anyone got a score for a cab?

The older I got, the more I fell in love with the game. When I was 17 I was politely asked to leave school. Not because i misbehaved or caused too much carnage, it was something about me spamming the school computers with Oddschecker, Betfair & greyhound commentaries.

I did suggest to the headmaster at the time he should maybe chill out a bit and have a quick look at the afternoon bags card from Romford. Then maybe we could try and pick a few out together and get the sweeties by landing a lucky 15.

After a seemingly disturbing look, he didn’t seem too keen on my idea and insisted that I left. So that was that really. I left the premises, and as I walked out, I thought to myself ‘I wonder what won the last at Hall Green?’ Not a care in the world. I always knew I was going to be a bookmaker. It’s all i ever wanted to be. Well, that or being a professional footballer. I just didn’t have the heart for the latter. I had two passions the day i left school. Football & Greyhound racing. Now where an earth is that bus ticket?

I turned 18 and found myself on the football trading desk at Sportingbet. Trading pre match, and in play football matches.

Handy really, I’m trading a Greek 3rd division match in play whilst watching the afternoon action from Crayford. Lovely. After gaining some valuable experience there I moved on most recently to Coral. Trading pre match prices for European leagues. I’ve met some great people in this game, some clever people too, some very good judges and have been lucky enough to take some real friends from the sport.

Excited About This Year’s Derby

I am very excited about this year’s William Hill Greyhound Derby. With 153 Entries (26 being Irish) its undoubtedly the most competitive derby I have ever witnessed based on the level of entries. Its where people from all over the country get together to witness the greatest event in the sporting calendar. William Hill should take huge

credit for their part in this year’s bonanza.

The prize money is excellent; a whopping £150,000 to the winner.

There is no changing your mind now though, folks. We have had all the trials, we have seen all the trial stakes, heard reports from trainers, interviews, seen what’s popular with the bookmakers. Question is who wins it?

100/1 Honcho Is A Bridge Worth Crossing

It’s that competitive, in my opinion, that I think Ballymac Eske is a ridiculously short price at 5-1 with the sponsors. This can only drift. And it will drift. It cannot possibly get any shorter. I would rather take a chance on the two Irish raiders Ballymac Vic & Kereight King coupled at 13/2 instead of backing Barrie Draper’s charge at 5/1. Vic, was a hot property for the Irish derby last year and his times at Shelbourne tell you everything you need to know about this dog.

His recent trials at Wimbledon have got me excited too. King, I don’t know an awful lot about. But it’s certainly been the talking dog on these shores over the last few months. His Shelbourne times speak volumes. An expensive purchase from AP McCoy & co and for that reason alone, it has to be respected. It’s the one dog I would want to be keeping on side if the whispers from over the water are anything to go by.

It wouldn’t be right having a derby book in place and not include a Charlie Lister runner. And I really like Lister’s Lemon Pluto. Winning 7 of his 13 starts. (1/1 at Wimbledon).

Impressive in the trial stakes earlier in the month and certainly going in the right direction. Pluto’s clock of 28.61 first-time in a race at Wimbledon is impressive enough. It’s still learning the game and in a strange way it has certain similarities of Taylors Sky’s first derby campaign. We all know what happened there.

Another dog I really like that has gone completely under the radar is Bridge Honcho. Trained by Mark Wallis. This dog was second in the Olympic last year behind Ballymac Eske. It went slightly off the boil a bit and was set back with injury over the Christmas period and the early months of this year.

It had a handslip at Yarmouth on its return and I believe connections were happy with what they saw. They then went to Cov-

entry for a sprint trial calculating 15.79. It went back the following week and calculated a smart 28.84 over the 4 bend trip.

The only concern would be his comeback race at Coventry didn’t quite go to plan.

But, it was always going to need the run. It was the first time with 6 dogs for 5 months.

Its tremendous early pace will be suited to Wimbledon - He will be an extremely hard dog to pass if getting himself on the bunny and he can only get stronger and fitter as the competition progresses.

This could go one of two ways. He may not be the spark he was last year, he may not have fully recovered from his injury. I think the price reflects that possible doubt, but the signs are there.

The trials at Coventry are impressive.

He has group one form in the book. We all know he isnt 100% fit. Let’s get him through the first couple of rounds and then we can re asses. He is 100/1 with William Hill & 25/1 to make the final, its just simply too big.

Another dog with solid form in the book is Teejays Bluehawk. The Scottish derby finalist may lack an early yard or two to the bend but he is going to prove very difficult to keep out the frame. He shows tremendous pace from half way and again at 50/1 (12/1 to make the final) looks a valuable each way pick.

Selections: Ballymac Vic & Kereight King. (Coupled at 13/2) Lemon Pluto. E/W (33/1 Generally) Teejays Bluehawk E/W (50/1 bet 365) Bridge Honcho. E/W (100/1 William Hill) Special: Bridge Honcho. Furthest Mark Wallis Dog To Progress (9/2 William Hill) Over the coming months I will be talking strictly greyhounds, hard luck stories and also a look at the Ante Post football markets for next season.

Everything is in place now, there is a real feel good factor about this wonderful sport again and I cannot wait. I can already hear that derby roar!

Good luck to all the runners, trainers & owners in this year’s William Hill Greyhound derby.

Be lucky, see you all at Wimbledon.

Twitter: @CallumPurdy Blog: CallumPurdy.blog.co.uk

IAN BLAND: OUR INSIDE MAN AT CRAYFORD

258 and counting...

M y first column here in the March issue opened with a feature on track favourite Newlawn Sweep who is still racing here at the age of seven and a half.

He is the all-time race record holder at Crayford with 258 races on his card and is I hope about to add yet another landmark to his career record by winning his 50th graded race for trainer Patsy Cusack and owner Peter Claxson. So the question now has to be does anyone know of any other grader that has had a half century of graded wins?

It would be interesting to hear from anyone with any information. In the interim Sweep shows no sign of planning to retire and I would not put it past him to go and win at least one more time and further elevate his already considerable reputation here.

Last month’s tips Zenas Elena and Zenas Poppy both managed wins at odds of 2-1 and 7-2 and I have been keeping a close eye on proceedings with a view to finding you more winners in this month’s issue.

Like All tracks our trainers have those top grade dogs that occasionally feature in Open races here and whilst they win the odd race at that level they may to my mind be just that little bit short of open class although they do tend to make the most of home advantage in such races.

What is evident however is that usually they benefit greatly from having featured in Opens and then do very well when returning to top graded races.

So here are my dogs for you to back with some confidence over the next few weeks.

Pony Bride is trained by Steve Gammon and is decent Open class.

He has had three dozen career races to date at various venues both in this country and in Ireland as a puppy. His last four races have all been at Crayford and he clearly likes this track having won one and finishing second twice in his three Open races here since late April.

During this period he also ran in an E1 graded race over the Golden Jacket distance of 714 metres and romped home three lengths in clear of the field in a decent time of 45.76 seconds. If he has a weakness it is that he is generally slow away from the

traps however he runs on extremely well and came from fifth place in his E1 race to win easily.

The dog finished third in this year’s Golden Jacket final just three and a half lengths behind winner White Soks Roks.

In his case you would have to say that he is an open class greyhound so why hesitate if he gets another crack in an E1 race?

Julie Luckhurst has recently been sending out Droopys Celeb in Opens over both 540 and 714 metres.

The dog ran graded races here previously between July and September 2011 before a spending a year at Sittingbourne also at graded level prior to returning to Julie’s kennels.

The dog won an open race here in midMay on merit but actually finds our top grades A1 and S1 over 380 and 540 metres respectively difficult to win however put her in grade 2 over either distance and she

wins. So look out for her at that level and back her with confidence.

My others for you to look out for are Springwood Ali, Fernhill Fury, Jims Journey and Burgess Lad who are all likely to land the odds in graded events. All have won Open races at Crayford and are a formidable foursome when dropping back to graded races.

On the retired greyhound front we have three special occasions scheduled.

There will be a parade of our ex-racers at Crayford in between the races on the evening card of Friday 28 June followed by our Annual Retired Greyhound Show here on Sunday 21 July.

The Charity Race evening when races and individual greyhounds will be sponsored in aid of our home finding scheme will take place on Saturday 5 October 2013.

Now on Facebook and Twitter!

My latest photos are now being posted straight onto my Facebook page.

Visit Facebook.com/SteveNashPhotography or follow me on Twitter @SteveNashPhotos.

As Britain’s premier greyhound photographer I get a lot of interest in my work from owners, enthusiasts and the media.

Log on to www.steve-nash.co.uk – this site is designed to provide information on my services, as well as a little glimpse into my involvement in greyhound racing and examples of past photography work.

If you want to find out more about specific projects, or if you’d like a quote on a job, please contact me at photos@steve-nash.co.uk

COLUMNISTS

Blogging life on the road as a kennelhand

BY KAAN HUGHES (KENNELHAND FOR ALMA KEPPIE)

I

n this diary style blog I will be writing about a few days of the month with an insight into what life is like being myself, a kennel hand who usually finds myself miles away from home racing dogs, or muttering to myself on the way home about where my attempts to win what we all call ‘the jackpot’ through a few flutters, more often than not seem to go completely wrong.

May is going to be an interesting month; I’m up at 3.15am on the first day of the month setting off for Chieveley services to pick up some new dogs which have been sent over from Ireland.

As many will know, Pat O’Hair is the main transporter and brings our dogs frequently, but as many will know sometimes his voicemails do need translating. I must say that these are a very pleasing new bunch of dogs and I think that there is a superstar within the bunch. Hopefully he’ll splash on to the scene, but without eating anyone...

If you can work out that riddle you’ve done well!

Thursday 2nd May and its Regency day and we have Gavin running and on arrival I get greeted by the ever welcoming Jason Barrasford, ‘can you do an interview’?

Go on then! Let’s just make sure we point out to everyone though that I do not like Trap 2!!! Cashen Matteo flew round in a trial clocking the fastest of the night in 30.13 after stumbling out of the boxes and getting lost early it was quite impressive. It wasn’t meant to be once again with the regency and I really couldn’t do anything other than scratch my head after the race...and no it’s not nits!

He just ran the flattest race of his career!

Hmmm...let’s not talk all the way home, let’s just moan...to top it all off there’s a diversion, so we tried a new route through devils dyke only to find that after 3miles uphill it was a dead end, nice scenery though!

So we turned around and had to head to London and then turn around miles up the road, after all they were changing a light bulb on the slip road so needed to shut the whole slip road, always convenient.

Friday 10th May and summers over, there’s bins in the road, I’m wearing a hoodie and listening to the wind and rain crash against the window! It’s amazing how peaceful it can actually be although I think it does something to the brain, I seem to remember waking up and remembering we had a call asking if we wanted another Eden Rumble, someone said no, I seem to recall? What an idiot! Glad it was only a dream.

Monday 13th and we had to get 5 new dogs marked up today and until you do a batch of dogs you don’t realise how much hassle it is to get a dog just to be able to trial

these days, because after all they may not even grade.

You have to pay for vaccination, chip and registrations costs and then you could be 3 weeks away from your first trial and you are virtually £300 down, and then potentially you have a dog who won’t grade.

Yes I’m all for integrity and welfare but surely there needs to be something introduced in relation to new pups just starting out. Luckily these dogs will grade...famous last words, but we will be more than £200 down if they don’t!

Tuesday 14th it’s the final of the Regency and we are heading off to Hove with Gavin in a supporting open which is always nice to be part of a sky race where the card features some top class action. Although he ended up finishing last he was only beaten 5 lengths after trouble and the time was quicker than the final. Anyway I better get on as I have 3 hours before I have to get up again.

Wednesday 15th, guess where I am again? Its 4.45am...you got it, Chieveley!

As always waiting for Pat, who is honestly

OUT AND ABOUT WITH KAAN Ballymac Eske

very good and always there when he says he will be, this time to pick up only 1 dog.

I was sat eating drumstick sweets so I offered one to pat, he didn’t want one, can’t say I didn’t offer!

Whilst here something caught my eye again, and it was only the other week I was here and still yet I’m decisive about buying it, you will not believe it, but it’s a scare crow! £9.99 and I see that as a bargain.....

Don’t ask, I do buy some funny things.

I can’t believe I left without buying it, I do hope someone buys a new dog soon as it will be coming home with me next time. Oh to top the night off ‘robin’ has peed all over the back of my car.

Great! I’m driving through a hurricane and I thought I’d kept the flood out but no there’s a stream running around in the back!

Some will find it hard to believe, but I’m heading to Manchester today as tomorrow I play at Old Trafford, yes as you will gather the new recruitment of David Moyes he has scouted me through the dog tracks...Don’t be silly I’m playing in a charity match. I

must say that I have travelled a lot further but Manchester always seems one of the furthest, it’s a shocker!

Friday night we went to Aintree and I know of a few jockeys so thought I’d have a chat, when asked by someone was the horse going to win I said how would I know we were talking about dogs.

I did manage to bet a winner but I’m seriously trying to work out how horse racing is more of a spectacle than dogs as you are closer to the action on a dog track, there are more races and you don’t have to freeze for 30 minutes between each race. Some things are a mystery? We need to promote this more. On arrival at the hotel I have never felt so famous as when we couldn’t get to the hotel we asked a police officer the way he said just let me finish this dinner off and I’ll take you by escort, if only he’d put the sirens on!

Saturday 18th and it’s football day and I’m feeling fresh as a daisy, started the day off with some porridge like an athlete would and then went shopping carrying my water and banana feeling like Rolando.

When I arrived At Old Trafford, the whole experience was unbelievable, the atmosphere as 80,000 fans chanted my name was a moment I will cherish forever as I walked out on to the hallowed turf!

Damn, I was snoozing on the way in the car and it was a dream again, but seriously the whole experience of warming up, playing and nearly taking the crossbar out the ground was something I will never forget.

Anyway I have to try and relax as its 2am Sunday morning now and I have to be up at 6 to get ready to go to Hove.

Sunday 19th and Matteo ran a very pleasing run as he was short of a race after having seventeen days off from his trial, he finished 3rd behind what looks a very nice dog.

We have no worries that this dog will be winning opens very soon, hopefully a puppy maiden a week Thursday. Gavin was entered, I hoped the quick run would get him out but guess what trap two, and a ping breaker in one saw carnage at the bend and trap one shot fifteen lengths clear, but he put his heart and soul into chasing her down but was denied by just over two lengths.

Maybe it wasn’t his month. I must say whilst at Hove Malbay Phanter owes me more than many dogs I’ve bet this dog most of the month, he is chalked up at evens and I leave him, guess what, he skates up!

Before finishing this column I must give

a small insight to the Derby as it’s that time of the year that has a real buzz around the greyhound industry.

It’s something which everyone will always dream of and last year I was at the final trial session and even there is a buzz about seeing all the top dogs, it is great.

This year I would imagine I will attend a few rounds and certainly the final.

Hopefully next year we will have a few to go for it. Who will win it? We are all guessing at this stage, but one thing that we can all do is fall in love with so many; this year there is a big attack from the Irish which I am happy to see.

I have a few on my short list; obviously Eske is my number one candidate as I bet him last July at 25/1 and again at 20/1 this side of the year. Also I would like to include Money Talks, Ballymac Vic, Kereight King and Bonamassa Rocks, somehow forgot I bet Jaytee Hellcat as well at 100/1 one night because he won me good money at Hove, you have to be faithful right?

I have bet these all at fairly nice prices so now looking at a lot of the challengers I would be quite happy to bet ‘an Irish winner’ as I am a big fan of the dogs they are bringing as I have some nice English dogs at good prices and the whole of Ireland on my side!

Kennel News:

Cashen Matteo, looks like he’s going in the right direction after the pleasing trial at hove and will be shortly winning at Hove.

Eden Rumble will as ever run his heart out but when you are running against the calibre of dogs he runs against you can’t afford to put a foot wrong. The new dogs who came over about 3 weeks ago start there trials in the next week or so and I will reveal more in next month’s column but I am really hopeful of a few here and the future looks exciting.

As always we are continuingly getting new dogs sent to us from people I have ultimate trust in and they are available for ownership solely or syndication to stay in the kennel. Anyone who may be of interest should contact me via email on kaan1392@ hotmail.co.uk with their name and number or on twitter @KaanHughes and I will get back to them.

As many will gather we are not one of the biggest kennels in the world in terms of numbers but we certainly have a good crack at everything we can with the dogs we have.

Located in the heart of the New Forest

OUT AND ABOUT WITH KAAN we are attached to Poole Stadium where we race generally have graded runners with all levels of ability, however we do travel around quite considerably with the dogs that we feel are good enough to take on the open race circuit.

We have had some quite memorable moments this year where we reached the final of the Golden Jacket at Crayford. For us even though we didn’t win was a moment we will never forget. Hove seems to be our 2nd most visited track and we have had a bit of success there with the opens and we always enjoy a night out there as the track is one of the best.

This year we are looking to strengthen the open race team and hopefully will have a bit more success and eventually land one of these finals. As I said though we are happy to train any level of dog as to try and win any race is what the sport is all about.

Kaan on Poole – Give Us The TV Trophy

At Poole there are a few points to add, firstly that it is certainly worth trying to win a competition now or a trophy race as there is a new presentation area situated in the centre; with flower pots and soon it will be lighted which finally makes it look more appealing and even a union jack flying high above.

Whilst on the subject of winning big races, a point that I keep trying to get forward is that the TV TROPHY is up for grabs this year and Poole has never featured on a Sky programme and as we have a BAGS fixture, we could have a say in the matter, I’m sure we could stage a big nights racing and the 840m trip would be a nice distance for the comp, and maybe if successful a double header could feature being at the other end of the distance ladder as Poole’s standard trip is 450m.

Whilst on the subject of the standard trip, the next big race in the calendar at Poole is the Stadia UK Golden Crest where the first round kicks off on July 2nd with the semis on the 6th and the final the following Saturday where the winner will receive a cheque for £3000.

Further on in the summer Poole has a three-day sporting festival which will be a weekend to remember. On Friday 23rd August there is going to be a ladies night in junction with Wave105, so if in the area ladies get your best frocks on and get down

Bonamassa Rocks

to Poole where the night is sure to be entertaining and hopefully there will be a prize for the winner of the best dressed female.

Sadly I probably won’t be the judge as we have not got enough prizes to go around for everyone! The nights racing will feature an open race card and promises to be an evening to remember.

Also along sides the whole weekend it will be in line with a charity event with all proceeds going to ‘Cash For Kids’ where presenters from Wave 105 will even compete in a human race. The day after on the Saturday, dog racing takes a back seat for

the day and the FIM GP Speedway Challenge where potential Grand Prix stars will grace the Wimbourne road circuit in the final round of the qualifiers, where the riders will earn their places.

On the Sunday racing is brought forward to an earlier start of 12pm and hopefully will round off what looks to be a great weekend of sport. Century Breakers: Special mentions to two dogs who have reached 100 races are; Move over Norrie & Autumn Tornado, well done it’s a big achievement to be able to keep a dog in training for that long to reach the century mark.

RETIRED GREYHOUNDS

From the track to the sofa

Newark in his racing days

P

eople in the greyhound world really do care and love their greyhounds, many stay with their owners for life and are given an amazing retirement. Every month we will look at some of these fantastic stories. (We have literally been sent loads of these; we will get through them all, some of the quieter month’s maybe two or three, so thanks for sending them in.)

Newark Is Part Of The Family And Loved Very Much

This is the story how we became the proud owners of Newark aka Fear Rien.

Fear Rien was put up for sale by his owner Simon Wooder in May 2006. Mark Wallis his trainer entered him for an auction on Greyhound Scene. As he was a very good open race dog with 10 wins on his card, at Wimbledon, Romford, Belle View, Perry Barr, and Coventry I knew he would not be cheap.

The Auction was on a Sunday and the bids came in thick and fast, we never made any bid until the last few minutes, we bid £8000. And we got him, happy days.

The next weekend my partner Fran and I went over to Marks kennels to collect him.

He looked fantastic and Fran fell in love with him straight away and said you will be my pet one day!!! I said not for a couple of years!!

We let Newark settle in for a few days to get use to the change of food and training, and then entered him for a small 2 round stake at Sittingbourne. He led the heat but got caught on the run in, a week later he again led easy and won the final.

We then took him back to Coventry for a couple of races and he did no good 3rd and 6th. Not so happy!!

Now this is when Newark started to really run for us, we went back to Walthamstow and he won easy 28.99 then we took

him to Brighton and he loved it there 29.73 first look, back to the Stow and won again 28.90.

Now back to Hove for the Sussex Cup. Ping wins again 29.74 in the heats and then wins again in the semi’s 29.55. That’s 5 wins on the bounce and now we in the Cat 1 Sussex Cup final. Missed break and badly balked end of the race for us. Gutted.

We then went for a race at Hall green and Monmore and ran poor in both. So we gave him a couple of weeks off and then took him for a solo trial at Yarmouth to get him ready for the Derby.

Disaster going to the first bend he broke his hock.

So off to the vets the next day and after x-rays we decided to retire him. His leg was all sorted out and after about 2 months we put him in our retired kennels where the dogs have a nice big runs to do what they want all day.

After about 6 months Fran and I took him home, we bought a nice big kennel with a run and had him in our garden.

Newark would be in with us all day but sleep in his kennel at night, after a while when he got use to our ways he started staying indoors with us. Now the rest is history.

Newark is the best Pet in the world, I get up at 5.45 and go and walk my race dogs.

When I get back with them I then take him for a walk so he can do his business.

At about 8am we would have breakfast and he would have one of his special bones. I

would go to work at about 9 and by 9.30 he will be asking Fran to take him for another long walk around our village. He would then sleep again until lunch time when again he would get another special bone.

After another walk he would sleep again but would wake up at 3 because that’s the time we get his tea ready, and we always give him a hand full at the time. Newark would have his next walk with Fran at 4 every day and I would pick them up when I come back from walking and feeding my race dogs. Once we are home we would get tea ready and he would be keeping his eye on us while cooking.

We would eat at about 5.30 and Newark again would have a couple of treats while we are eating before eating his own dinner, which could take anything up to 6 hours. !!

Yes I really did say 6 hours.

Newark is so laid back it unreal, he only eats when he wants but will always finish it just before his last walk of the day, anything between 10.30 and 11.30.

When Fran and I go out we take him to my mum and dads, Gloria and Tony and they look after him so well that he sometimes would rather stay with them.

Newark is a real super star who only had 12 races for us winning 6. But 16 wins out of 41 in total.

He will be 10 on the 18th of November and he still looks fantastic. We love him very much.

LEE AND FRAN GIFKINS

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ANDY TOMLINSON: THE FLAPPING MAN

Busy time at The Palace Every month Andy ‘Flapping’ Tomlinson brings you the news from the Flapping Scene EASINGTON

Well it’s been an eventful May at The Palace with a “few” of us locals taking it upon ourselves to club together to raise the £200 needed to acquire 40 tonnes of sand, which we then laid over the course of two gruelling days using only wheel barrows and the back of an old Land Rover.

Since then the track has not only quickened slightly but looks and feels great when parading our dogs.

TAKING THE GOLD

The 2013 Bookmakers Sprint Handicap was held in April, kindly sponsored by bookmaker David Barnes.

35 dogs entered this event and a 6 metre limit was applied to give the back markers a fair crack of the whip. The eventual winner, a January 2010 black bitch named GO CARBRINI owned and trained by Mr Robert Stockton of Seaham went un-fancied by most after finishing 2nd in her first round heat, beaten in an average time.

In round 2 she looked a different bitch, pinging the lids and improving in time. The final was a hot race with all finalists capable of winning but it was GO CARBRINI that just held on to win by a short head. Her record at Easington is very impressive having 6 races with three-wins, two-seconds and a third-place finish.

DOGS TO FOLLOW

This Month’s Gatehouse Enterprises sponsored dog of the month is going right to the wire, with 3 greyhounds still in with a realistic chance.

SEAHAM EXPRESS is owned by Mr Stevie Walker of Seaham. This black bitch currently has two wins and a fourth place finish.

HAPPY JACK a July 09 black dog is owned by Mr Joe Lovely of South Shields but trained by the posh and becks of the palace Russel and Julie Garthwaite, also of South Shields.

Jack has two wins and a third place finish

(including a brilliant win in the bookmakers mini sweep final) GO CARBRINI has followed on April’s good form winning two and finishing second out of her three races this month. Her most recent second place run; was in one of the hottest level breaks the track has seen all year.

She more than held her own with the winner only beating her 0.75L in 14.25 which is currently the third fastest time of the year. She is pictured with the owner’s grandchildren, Mitchell and Liam being presented with the trophy by stadium bookmaker David Barnes.

JOHNNY ‘BANTISS’ MOYLES

Snowy takes 600 but Sugar Ray gets the plaudits

T

he Ladbrokes 600 at Shelbourne Park produced a surprise winner in RINGTOWN SNOWY. You will have read me highlighting Tyrur Sugar Ray as a value option at 12/1 in last month’s Greyhound Express and PJ Fahy’s dog was a beaten favourite (8/11) in the 11th May final after making a horlicks of the start.

He went on to produce a brilliant performance getting beaten by the minimum distance, but the record books will show Paul Hennessy’s dog as the winner of one of Ireland’s biggest and most important races. Both dogs have been entered for the English Derby – I know which one I would prefer to be on.

sponsor), Priceless Sky hosed up in a Trial Stake and looks very solid. My other two selections Kereight King and Roxholme Bully are still looking good. You could add Tyrur Sugar Ray to that trio and expect to have at least one dog running for you on the big night.

The Irish are going to Wimbledon in their numbers – 28 official Irish trained entries is what I would call an army – get a few of them on your side. The Anglo-Irish element makes the English Derby so special. It’s a pity the English trainers, by and large, are not brave enough to travel in the opposite direction.

Kingdom prepares for The William Hill English the Champions My favourite track in Ireland is ShelDerby is here….and the bourne Park, closely followed by Galway.

But you would go a long way to find a Irish are coming

Speaking of the English Derby this col- better, smoother run operation than the umn’s selection was Paul Hennessy’s Price- one in Tralee. The Kingdom Stadium is in less Sky. Advised at 33/1 (now 20s with the preparation for yet another Betdaq Race

Of Champions (won last year by Razldazl Rioga in front of the Sky cameras) and it promises to be another great night on 21st June in Tralee. The Kerry people know how to organise events and their main competitions are always brilliantly supported on and off the track. Get over if you can – you will not regret it.

Red Mills hero a ‘must follow’

By the time you read this the Red Mills Champion Unraced Final will have been run at Kilkenny.

This stake has an exceptional pedigree with recent winners going on to contest the biggest stakes in England and Ireland with the likes of He Said So and Yahoo Jamie going on to massive things including many Derby winners, and several of the ‘also rans’ doing very well. Here is just a selection from recent years (2010-2012 contestants still running) 2009 Definate Opinion, Scolari Me Daddy, De Ex Factor, Yahoo Jamie 2008 Swords Prince, Green Rumble

2007 Blackstone Kewell, Droopys Canavaro, Forest Master 2006 Millies Award, Line Of Fire, Ullid Conor 2005 Caulry Fast Trap, Kerry Okee, Barefoot Man, Late Delivery, Roxholme Boy, Galdare Romeo, Shellys Crown, Tyrur Peejay 2004 He Said So, Bandicoot Lola (dam of Derby winner) This year’s winner _________________, as well as all other entries, should go in the notebook.

Racing Post Greyhound TV

I welcome all TV coverage of our sport, indeed any positive media coverage is akin to gold-dust. I didn’t tune in that often in the first few months of RPGTV simply because I have been very busy at home and I haven’t got too many dogs right now, with none of my breeding on display in the UK. Of late, however, a couple of smart ones that I am connected to have been appearing on Channel 212 and I have tuned in more and more. I am impressed.

I am sure a lot has been written on various forums and in trade publications about the show so I won’t bore you but a couple of things really deserve a mention. The first is the presenters. They and the analysts are swapped around regularly keeping the show fresh despite its obvious limitations (being studio based). The guests have, on the whole, been decent at worst and the knowledge of some is exceptional.

I tuned in last month while flicking channels and saw Julie Collier on the couch with her retired greyhound Roxy. This was a fantastic piece of thinking by those running the show. Anyone tuning in on the off-chance saw a lazy, cuddly greyhound lying still for hours while those around her chatted.

What an advert for the RGT. Take note Sky and RTE. And last week we had one of the best guests I have seen on the show – Kevin Hennessy. Born into greyhounds, Kevin spoke intelligently and politely about his passion, and he gave out winners at UK tracks like he was standing on the steps himself week in, week out. RTE could do worse than sign him up.

From an Irish perspective I have spoken with a few breeders in recent weeks about the impact of RPGTV on sales and they could only speak positively about it. Irish breeders are still suffering big time but there has been some movement to tracks covered by the channel. Keep up the good work all at RPGTV.

Here come the..... Cailíní

Due to the deadlines we are working to at Greyhound Express Towers some of what I am writing could be out of date or appear as ‘aftertiming’. As I write this the 2013 Sporting Press Irish Oaks is about to start with 72 quality bitches going to traps for the 1st Round over two nights at Shelbourne Park. By the time you read this the 2nd Round will be in progress. The bookies as usual are giving nothing away and nothing is jumping out at me in terms of value, however I might have a small bet on a couple at Quarter Final stage.

With all due respect to our colleagues in the UK, there is no doubt that this is the ‘proper’ Oaks. The quality is always top drawer and bitches that have performed well in this competition can be found in the back pedigrees of many of the leading greyhounds on both sides of the Irish Sea. The Healthcare and Transport Services Irish Puppy Oaks was won last weekend

by Rockburst Beryl. Owned and trained

by Englishmen Ian McGinnis and Graham Holland (who were represented by third placed Rockburst Delta last year), Beryl should be respected, not just because she is a superbly talented greyhound, but also because of the recent record of Irish Puppy Oaks winners in the follow-up Sporting Press Irish Oaks.

Record of recent Puppy Oaks winners; 2012 Borna Gem (4th in Quarter Final after trouble) 2011 Droopys Twirl (Won the Oaks) 2010 Dalcash Dvinsky (Won the Oaks) 2009 Faypoint Lauren (4th in Semi Final) 2008 Kildallon Maid (2nd Round after trouble) 2007 Mustang Miranda (Oaks Finalist bumped) 2006 Razldazl/Lughill Pearl (4th in Semi Final after trouble by ½ length) The best Oaks winner in recent times for me has to be the wonderful Droopys Twirl.

As shown above she won the Puppy Oaks and Irish Oaks back to back and never finished outside of the first two places in any of the races in those stakes. And then she went on to perform wonderfully in the Irish Derby, getting knocked out in the Semi Final after trouble, beaten only a length. Dalcash Dvinsky was another wonder-bitch, setting the scene for Twirl to emulate.

Both bitches have now had litters. Dalcash Dvinsky has produced a 128 Greyhound Data rated hound in Skywalker Mandy in her September 2011 litter by Skywalker Ace. And I simply cannot wait for Droopys Twirl’s January 2012 pups by Ace Hi Rumble to hit the tracks.

Good Luck With Your Dogs; Follow me on Twitter: @johnnymoyles http://manaboutdog.blogspot.com

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